THE Government’s announcement to increase the maximum speed limit for conventional tractors from next March has been welcomed by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA).

Henry Robinson, president, said the limit had not been altered for 27 years: “Raising it to 25mph [from 20mph] will bring the UK’s speed limit into line with the majority of Europe, making British farming businesses more competitive. Not only that, roads will become safer as unnecessary congestion is reduced along with the risk of accidents associated with overtaking."

He also welcomed a second phase of assessing agricultural machinery for use on the road and said greater clarity was needed over which category differing agricultural vehicles fit into. Technology had overtaken legislation.

Mr Robinson was pleased that the maximum weight for tractor and trailer combination will be increased to 31 tonnes but was disappointed that the limit for the maximum weight on trailers will not increase past 18.29 tonnes.

“Allowing a heavier tractor to be used improves safety on the road, but farm businesses also need to be able carry greater amounts of produce, reducing the number of unnecessary journeys,” he said.