RHA slams Essex's plans to ban overtaking on Al2 Chris
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Tindall THE ROAD Haulage Association (RHA) has opposed plans by Essex County Council to ban lorries from overtaking on the Al2, branding the move dangerous.
The council told CM it was gathering support from local authorities, the police and "haulage associations" to convince the Highways Agency it should be introduced between Marks Tey and Kelvedon. A motion by cabinet member for highways and transportation, Rodney Bass, is due to be discussed in July; if it is passed he will start lobbying the Department for Transport.
However, RHA general manager David Scott-Smith questioned the effectiveness of overtaking bans and said restricting LGVs to the left-hand lane could cause problems for motorists accessing and exiting the Al2. But he added: "Drivers need to take stock. When they are in that situation, they should give way; it creates a rolling road block.
"If it continues, then given the public perception, more draconian steps will be taken and more overtaking bans will be put in place and it will upset more people," he said.
A Highways Agency spokeswoman said: "To progress the proposed lorry overtaking ban on a trunk road, a council has to consider the benefits and disadvantages to all road users and demonstrate to the Highways Agency that the scheme would reduce con gestion and improve traffic flow."
She added that if a strong enough case was presented, a trial would need to be carried out by the Highways Agency before any ban was made permanent.