20/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - Council approves revision of weights and dimensions directive for lorries. On Monday 20 April, the Council of the EU approved revision of the 96/53/EC directive on the maximum weights and dimensions of lorries used in international transport. The new authorised text will allow the size of containers to be increased, as well as the use of new round nosed cabins and aerodynamic mechanisms at the rear of vehicles (see EUROPE 11269). The text will not end the rules in force on the mega trucks used in some Scandinavian countries but banned in a lot of others (see EUROPE 11216). In a joint statement, Sweden and Finland underlined their right to use these larger vehicles and warned against, “disproportionate internal barriers against vehicles circulating between member states”. (JC)