Dumelow International Ltd says tractor speed increase set to take effect in Spring is good for farmers and British roads

The government has revealed that speed limits for conventional tractors in the United Kingdom are set for an increase next year, with the limit rising by 5mph to 25mph starting in March.

Additionaly, the combined weight limit for trailers and tractors will also be increased, moving from 24.39t to 31t in Spring, with Claire Perry, transport minister, arguing that for too long the farming community in the country have been subject to “outdated” rules.

Ms Perry believes changes would add up to £62m to the agriculture sector on a yearly basis, helping to “bring our farmers more in line with their international counterparts.”

Elaborating: “These changes will also result in farmers having to make fewer journeys on our roads and so reduce the risk of accidents.”

The National Farmers Union (NFU) embraced the upcoming changes, acknowledging that they were in a step in the right direction but also arguing that further changes need to happen.

Vice-president of NFU, Guy Smith, said: “I’m sure many people who’ve found themselves caught in a queue of traffic behind a tractor will have sympathy with our calls to reduce the number of tractors on the road by increasing their effective payload.

While an increase to 31t is a step in the right direction, keeping the specific limit of 18.29t on the trailer will continue to restrict many trailers from being used at anywhere near their engineered design capacity.

“To achieve a change which full reflects improvements in technology, including those that improve safety, it is essential that weight limits are increased further to the level suggested by the industry.”

Reacting to the news, Dumelow International Ltd, a British provider of reconditioned tractors who primarily supply models to African farmers, believes that the changes are long overdue.

A spokesman for Dumelow said: “Most have been arguing for an increase in the speed limit for a long time. This isn’t just a move to benefit farmers; it will also limit the inconvenience faced by other commuters and make British roads a safer and more enjoyable place for drivers.

“We expect most farmers will be over the moon with this news and many will be eagerly awaiting further future changes.”

Dumelow International Ltd specialise in supplying reconditioned tractors to farmers across the world, most notably in Africa. The company specialises in Massey Ferguson models and ships worldwide. Visit their website today www.dumelow.co.uk.