SAFETY campaigners are disappointed that the minister responsible for road safety has 'talked out' a move to ban bull bars on vans and 4x4 vehicles. In recent months a major campaign has been whipped up by a number of motoring organisations - particularly the RAC - and road safety groups. That has resulted in a number of fleets removing bull bars from their vehicles including DHL, HSS Hire Services and TNT.

However, a cross-party House of Commons bid to have bull bars banned was talked out by road safety minister Steven Norris. Some MPs accused Norris of 'treachery', but he claimed the issue could only be tackled through Europe-wide legislation.