FTA fights Royal Mile ban
Page 5
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• The Freight Transport Association is taking Lothian Regional Council to court over its ban on delivery vehicles in Edinburgh's Royal Mile.
The ban, which is scheduled to come into effect on 5 June, prohibits delivery vehicles over 7.5 tonnes between 10:3016:00hrs.
However, the FTA believes that the Lothian traffic order is invalid because the council did not hold a public hearing, and it has lodged an appeal with the Court of Session to clarify the regulations.
Frank Tristram, the FTA's Scottish region director, says: "The council has largely ignored our efforts to create an informal dialogue. Our action is essential in order to protect the legal rights of our members to a full and public hearing of their objections."
Glasgow haulier Young and McMillan, which makes around 75 deliveries a day to pubs, restaurants and hotels in Edinburgh, fears its costs will double if it is forced to deliver in 7.5 tanners instead of 17-tonners. Logistics director Anthony Sutherland says: "We wrote to the council to put our case, but it seemed their minds were already made up."