Heavier trucks will be allowed on Bermuda’s roads under legislation which passed through the House of Assembly yesterday.The maximum weight of fully loaded fuel tankers will go up 50 percent, from 22,000 pounds to 33,000 pounds, as part of the Motor Car Amendment Act. The upper limit for Class A trucks goes from 14,000 pounds to 18,000 pounds, and Class B trucks from 20,000 pounds to 22,500, while special garbage collection vehicles go from 30,000 pounds to 36,000 pounds.Transport Minister Terry Lister said the amendments reflect the fact manufacturers are producing bigger vehicles than before.“Because of the increases, it is difficult for local automotive dealers to acquire commercial vehicles to fit the old class size dimensions,” he told MPs.Shadow Transport Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin warned of the potential impact of heavier vehicles on Bermuda’s roads.Mrs Gordon-Pamplin said roads are already struggling under the weight of existing trucks, saying: “If you can imagine the divots and grooves on streets now, what on early are we doing to our infrastructure when we allow 33,000 pound trucks?”The Shadow Minister also questioned why truckers had not been consulted over the amendments, with Health Minister Zane DeSilva arguing there was no need for consultation as the changes would benefit them. Mr Lister then apologised on behalf of Mr DeSilva, saying consultation had in fact taken place in which truckers suggested the law be altered.“We consulted with Bermuda Automated Dealers Association. My colleague Mr DeSilva misheard me when I told him we had done that,” the Minister told the House. “The Government will not benefit from this in any particular way. It would be foolish for me to say to my staff, ‘Hey, you byes, you got anything to do today? No? Hey, let’s do this!’“We do this because we’re recognising there’s a problem.”United Bermuda Party leader Kim Swan had also spoken of the need to consult stakeholders and the dangers of heavy roads, prompting Mr Lister to suggest he was trying to get in the One Bermuda Alliance’s good books.“She should make a case for him in the OBA’s caucus,” he said of Mrs Gordon-Pamplin.Mr Swan also spoke of disillusionment among truckers that dumpsters are allowed to carry six times the amount of material.Mr Lister acknowledged some dumpsters are illegally carrying sand or rubble, and said if anyone spots them they should take a photo and e-mail it to him at telister[AT]gov.bm.OBA leader John Barritt said the 1951 Motor Car Act needs to be overhauled as it has been amended many times over the years and contains inconsistencies.