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Scottish report backs night time deliveries
Page 6
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Scotland's truck operators have received unexpected support in the form of a long-awaited government report. Chris Tindall reports.
AN INQUIRY INTO Scottish freight transport has recommended investigating the use of bus lanes for trucks in a bid to alleviate congestion, relaxing night delivery restrictions, and increasing some truck speed limits.
The long-awaited report of the Scottish Executive's Transport Committee inquiry also supports the Executive's decision to retain the Freight Facilities Grant scheme to shift freight off the roads and onto rail an initiative that was scrapped in England in 2003.
But the 21-page report says the committee remains concerned that environmental and social benefits are not being assessed by the devolved Scottish government.
Other recommendations include allowing companies operating trucks on forest roads to use red diesel and promoting the development of better roadside facilities.
The report says: "The committee recommends that the Scottish Executive encourage local authorities and regional transport partnerships to review restrictions on night delivery and consider their relaxation where appropriate.
It recommends commissioning a "cost-benefit analysis of an increase in lorry speed limits on strategic single-carriageway roads, particularly the A9 between Perth and Inverness.
Phil Flanders of the Road Haulage Association accepts that allowing LGVs into bus lanes is a political minefield, but adds: "Hopefully this will encourage someone to come forward and trial it. And the same with a speed limit increase what's the harm in doing a trial?"
Hamish Morrison, operations director for Stewart Milne Timber Systems in Aberdeenshire, backs the use of bus lanes and improving roadside facilities. But he says Freight Facilities Grants would be unlikely to help his company:"Our product is very abnormal in shape. For our product to go on rail wouldn't be a benefit to us." christopher.findall@rbi.eo.uk