The rapporteur, Mr WIJSENBEEK (ELDR, NL), welcomed the fact that the Council had adopted two of Parliament’s suggestions for an increase in the loading width and length of international road haulage vehicles. However, he was critical of the fact that 45-foot containers were no longer to be allowed on the roads. Moreover, he called on the Council and the Commission to follow up their proposal regarding maximum laden weight, in line with Parliament’s proposals on this matter, and on the question of turning radius and pneumatic suspension. Finally, he emphasised that the introduction of the measures in question would improve road transport conditions in the EU and provide greater legal security for the companies concerned. Commissioner Fischler thought the proposal acceptable, especially in view of the fact that very few amendments had been proposed. However, the Commission could not accept Amendment No 2, as this would mean that vehicles exceeding the maximum weight would again be allowed to take to the roads after 2006. Mr Fischler was of the view that there was no need to extend the adaptation period, which was already long enough. Nor could Amendment No 3 be accepted, because maximum vehicle length was laid down by international convention.