Threat to GLC ban
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GOVERNMENT is set to clash with the Greater London Council r the Labour-controlled council's plans to ban 38-tonners from capital, writes our Parliamentary correspondent.
s CM went to press the artment of Transport was wing up contingency plans to art GLC transport committee rman Dave Wetzel.
n Wednesday, Mr Wetzel his committee were due to sider legal advice whether it
ban the 38-tonne lorries, :h may be permitted on to 3in's roads in May, from all -oads under council control. Department spokesman said the issue was hypothetical I the Government had seen GLC proposals. The vernment is keen to )urage lorry routes which lId ban heavy lorries from le roads, he said.
oposed lorry action areas ) been enthusiastically taken the GLC, he said.
it he admitted that the ernment could take action if L'iLC decides to go ahead and 38-tonners from all accepted trunk roads inside GLC boundaries.
Acknowledging that a total ban would have serious implications, he said: "There are legal powers to stop them."
The legislation the Government would rely on is the Road Traffic Regulations Act of 1967, Section 84A, under which Transport Secretary David Howell could direct the GLC not to make an order to ban 38tonners on the grounds that it would not be in accordance with its statutory duty "to secure expeditious, convenient and safe movement of vehicular and other traffic".
The Government could have more difficulty if the GLC decides to impose a more partial ban.