UK funds new modern weighbridge in Zambia

Speaking at the official opening of a 30million Kwacha UKaid funded weighbridge in Kafue today, British High Commissioner to Zambia Fergus Cochrane-Dyet said: "The UK’s new support for the weighbridge will make it easier, safer and quicker to move goods from the point of production to border crossings. Infrastructure development is vitally important for a 'land-linked' country like Zambia, helping it to diversify its economy and increase its trade with neighbouring countries. Projects like this one will help to stimulate economic growth and create more jobs for young Zambians. "

"The Kafue weighbridge is one element of UK support to boost trade and develop key transport infrastructure in Southern Africa. It includes the upgrading of the final section of the road from Lusaka to Chirundu (Link 4), which is expected to be completed early next year. Link 4 connects with the One Stop Border Post at Chirundu, which was also developed with an earlier grant from the UK and reduced waiting times for freight vehicles at the border from 3-5 days to 24 hours."

The state-of-the-art weighbridge has been made possible with the help of a 30 million kwacha grant from the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) .

The new facility will measure the axle weight of trucks using the Lusaka to Chirundu road, helping to reduce overloading and the damage this causes on one of Zambia and Southern Africa’s most important trading routes. Studies suggest the new weighbridge can reduce overloading from about 20% of trucks to around 5% - producing maintenance savings for the Zambian government of over 80 million kwacha.