Hauliers pay: AMA
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THE WHITE PAPER on lorries, people, and the environment should have included provision for more lorry parking, the Association of Metropolitan Authorities has told the Government.
Criticising the White Paper, the AMA described this point as "the most glaring omission", especially in view of the effects of the eight-hour driving day and compulsory tachograph regulations.
And in a similar vein, it has told the Government that it should look more closely at the possible development of a national lorry route network with powers provided to enforce its use.
It wants the Government to expand the road programme to include all planned by-passes, including those in the Department of Transport's reserve programme, and it believes that this should not delay other road schemes which will bring economic rather than environmental benefits.
If necessary, it suggests that the cost of bringing forward these schemes could be met by increased taxes on hauliers.
While it accpets that there are environmental benefits to be derived from increasing the length limit on tractive units (accommodating noise insulation and sleeper cabs), the AMA is concerned that the increased manoeuvrability of such vehicles might bring heavier vehicles into areas from which they are physically excluded at present.
It said it fears that operators might be tempted to use the heaviest vehicles on narrow streets in town centres and older industrial areas, and suggested that this will "increase the range of such vehicles and extend the areas of environmental degradation associated with the use of heavy lorries in tight situations".
And it has suggested that the increased manoeuvrability might make it more possible for heavy lorries to make short cuts to avoid congestion.
Reflecting the fears of others, the AMA added: "It is difficult to accept that heavier lorries will in the long run mean fewer lorries, particularly as the White Paper proposals confirm and reinforce the economy's dependence on road haulage."
The AMA believes that a switch to heavier lorries will fulfil the Government's objective of reducing industry's transport costs, and says that, as a result, industry will continue to centralise its production.
AMA planning and transportation committee chairman Jack Graham said this week: "The AMA believes that heavier lorries will cause increasing damage to people's homes and privacy, added danger to pedestrians and further damage to roads, services, and buildings."