91997E3328

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3328/97 by Christoph Konrad (PPE) to the Commission (22 October 1997)

Subject: Total permissible weight of coaches in the EU

1. Is the Commission aware of the fact that there are different regulations in Germany and the United Kingdom concerning the total permissible weight of coaches (in Germany the permissible weight is 18 tonnes, in the UK only 17 tonnes)?

2. Do these British transport regulations, which have only been applicable since the beginning of the year, conflict with existing Community law?

3. Can the British authorities stop coaches from Germany weighing more than 17 tonnes from continuing their journeys on British territory and charge excessive rental costs for the provision of a replacement British coach?

4. If Community law is not affected by the transport regulations in the United Kingdom, does the Commission see any reason to require EU Member States to recognize one another's national transport regulations?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (15 December 1997)

1. The Commission is aware that the maximum permitted weight for two-axle vehicles (including touring coaches) circulating in the United Kingdom is seventeen tonnes, compared with eighteen tonnes in most Member States.

2. This situation is not in conflict with European legislation. Indeed, this matter has been recognised in European legislation since 1989, firstly in Council Directive 89/338/EEC of 27 April 1989 amending Directive 85/3/EEC on the weights, dimensions and certain other technical characteristics of certain road vehicles ((OJ L 142, 25.5.1989. )), and subsequently in Council Directive 96/53/EC of 25 July 1996 laying down for certain road vehicles circulating within the Community the maximum authorized dimensions in national and international traffic and the maximum authorized weights in international traffic ((OJ L 235, 17.9.1996. )).

3. British authorities are, therefore, entitled to prevent touring coaches with a gross laden weight in excess of seventeen tonnes from circulating on their territory since such coaches are deemed to be overloaded under British law.

4. The current lower weight limit in the United Kingdom is permitted by means of a derogation laid down in Article 8 of Council Directive 96/53/EC. This derogation will expire on 31 December 1998, after which the United Kingdom will be obliged to allow coaches of up to eighteen tonnes gross laden weight. Given this timescale the Commission does not propose any actions in the meantime.