AGGRESSIVE bull bars could be banned on vehicles in Britain if Government proposals outlined in a new consultation document are backed. Roads Minister Baroness Hayman is no longer prepared to wait for the European Union to resolve the controversy surrounding bull bars on vehicles and has adopted a go it alone policy.

In recent years a number of major UK fleets have removed bull bars from their vehicles amid increasing controversy surrounding their safety. These include Marks & Spencer, DHL, HSS Hire Services and TNT. Last year four out of five British motorists condemned bull bars, according to a survey by Cowie Interleasing. Also last year Jersey introduced its own metal bull bar ban.

The Government has announced a three-month consultation period to December 31 and has asked for views on a number of options for controlling the use of the bars. For new bull bars, these are: banning all metal bull bars; allowing only those bars, whether plastic or metal, which pass a test; and allowing only those which have passed a test showing they are less aggressive than the vehicle they are intended for. For existing bull bars, the options are: take no action; the removal of all metal bull bars; requiring bars to be subjected to a test.

The paper also looks at a number of other issues, including the current European position and how a ban could be enforced. Any test, which could cost up to £20,000 and would need to be carried out for each combination of vehicle and bull bar, would be subject to industry discussion.