After years of campaigning JCB has finally helped secure a change in regulations which will allow trailers to be towed on the road by wheeled construction machinery – potentially saving customers thousands of pounds a year.
The decision affects towing rules in England, Scotland and Wales and has seen the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) create a new Vehicle Special Order (VSO). Under the new regulation, it will be possible for customers to use wheeled engineering plant, such as backhoe loaders and wheeled excavators, to tow a trailer on the highway, for the purposes of construction, maintenance, and repair of roads.
Richard Brooks, JCB’s group productiInnovation director said: “Recognition by the VCA of the benefits of safely towing a trailer behind these types of wheeled machines will be welcomed by contractors and equipment owners.” Operators wanting to take advantage of this change in the law, can apply in writing to the VCA, advising that they wish to use a machine, or a number of machines, to tow on the road. Applications should be submitted to vso@vca.gov.uk and must include the name of the person or organisation making the application.
