A REVOLUTIONARY lorry designed by an engineer from the Richmond area could be the basis of a safe and efficient new transport system for the 21st century.

Mr Carl Henderson hopes to win European backing for his extra-stable and manoeuvrable vehicle, one version of which is already being tested by a major haulier.

The 16m full-sized version was built following successful trials of a one-sixteenth scale model built by Mr Henderson at his home near the village of Skeeby.

The idea was taken on board by trailer builders Don-Bur, of Stoke-on-Trent, and is being road tested in the North-West by international haulier Christian Salvesen. It was also well received at the Truckscot 2000 trade show in Glasgow in the summer.

The design is based on a rigid trailer with a pivotal bogie which allows the vehicle to take up less road width as it moves round roundabouts and corners and into restricted accesses.

"The lorry is more stable, more efficient, uses less fuel and there is less damage to tyres and to road surfaces and kerbs," said Mr Henderson, who hopes to win EC support to develop a bus-style vehicle along the same lines.

The lorry was tested successfully at the Leyland technical centre in Lancashire and is the subject of a promotional video made by Don-Bur. The Department of Transport has expressed interest in the idea, but Mr Henderson fears European red-tape might hold up its development.

"I have written to the European commissioners, to William Hague and the Environment Minister, Michael Meacher," said Mr Henderson, who has experience of lorry driving. "What I would really like to do is to make a documentary to sell the idea to the public."

The new vehicle could be the basis of a whole new transport system for Europe, based on the existing road and rail infrastructure, he said.

Designated lanes for the new lorries and buses would run alongside car lanes on main roads, and the trailers could be transferred easily to rail to provide a fully integrated road-rail hybrid system.

Radio and infra-red communication between vehicles and via roadside beacons would relay details of incidents to system controllers and emergency services.

"The system would be much safer, more efficient and more environmentally sound than the current move towards putting all freight on to the railways," he said.

"It would allow better traffic flow. There would even be scope to travel somewhere in your car, then put the car on a transporter vehicle for the return journey."

Rural areas would be among the first to benefit, with a revival of disused railway lines for a dual-mode system which would pass quietly along the line of the old track. Villages en route would have the chance to offer services to passing travellers. Slip lanes would provide access to and exit from the system. Interchange centres outside main towns and cities would allow passengers to swap from other modes of transport to dual-mode town vehicles.

The cost of converting existing lorries to the new design could be about £100,000 per vehicle, but this would be weighed against savings in road repair and accident bills.

The new vehicles would use less fuel, reduce pollution and could save an estimated seven-million tyres if adopted across Europe, he said. Less wear and tear on roundabouts could mean they lasted five times longer than the current five years between major repairs. Tests also showed it could complete a slalom course faster and with more stability and safety than traditional articulated wagons.

l Mr Henderson can be contacted on e-mail at carl.henderso