THE European Union is preparing to sweep aside British objections and allow 60-ton foreign “mega-lorries” to be driven on roads in the UK.

The so-called road trains comprise a juggernaut with a trailer fixed to the back. They are more than a third longer and heavier than those currently allowed in Britain.

The government banned mega-lorry trials last year, but the new EU regulation that could be adopted by the European parliament as early as next year will allow them to to travel freely across member states whatever national concerns there may be about the economic, environmental and safety impact.

The Campaign for Better Transport, which opposes the changes, has identified John Berry, formerly a civil servant at the Department for Transport and now working for the European commission, as one of the key officials behind the road train initiative.

At present, vehicles longer than 18.7 metres (61ft) or heavier than 44 tons are prohibited across the EU apart from Sweden and Finland. The planned new maximum is 25.25 metres.

Road trains will require changes to British roads, including bridge strengthening and changing access ramps and slip roads.

The transport department said it opposed any EU super-lorry proposal “that did not give the UK the power to block their use on UK roads for safety or environmental reasons.” A spokesman said Britain would be obliged to adopt EU legislation but added: “This is unlikely to happen.”

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