an town loses case m overnight stays
Page 21
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
HE PRINCIPLE of heavy vehicle bans that should allow lverS to reach their overnight lodgings has been upheld by Usk agistrates Court, Gwent, last week.
The court dismissed a large against ICI driver ichael Lane, who was stopxi on his way to his lodgings the town on the grounds at he was in contravention ' an experimental ban on )hicles over three tons unden in the area.
Gwent County Council iposed the ban on certain roads in the area and aced upon it the interpretaon that access for heavy hicles would only be lowed if they were delivering ople, goods or merchandise their destination within the ea.
But last week the Freight -ansport Association briefed )unsel for ICI, who explained the court that under the went Traffic Regulations rder, the council could not ii-137 access by vehicles to 'emises providing overnight icommodation.
Counsel stated that access iuld only be denied with the )nsent of the Secretary of .ate for Wales — and the )unty council had not )tained that consent. Now the FTA has repeated its advice to members and their drivers that while the order remains in force, the restricted roads must not be used as through routes, but they may be used as routes where the driver has a genuine need to gain access to premises in the area — including those giving lodgings to the driver. The Gwent order came into force on February 15 as an experimental order affecting vehicles which used the A471, A472 and' the New Inn to Monkswood road, except for access to premises.
Despite advice from the FTA, the police and the council had insisted that drivers could only use the roads for access to premises for loading and unloading — and not for gaining access to their lodgings.