DOT to review curfews on urban delivery times
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• Night delivery bans and curfews could soon be relaxed for hauliers following pressure on the Government by the Freight Transport Association.
In response to the House of Commons Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee report into the Integrated Transport White Paper, the FTA argued that an end to curfews would reduce the problems of rush-hour road congestion.
The association told the committee that allowing hauliers to deliver goods round the clock would also cut total truck mileage by 4%.
The committee has promised to review curfews, including those enforced by 40% of supermarkets, and it will take into account local circumstances" when carrying out the review.
FTA deputy director-general Richard Turner says: "The public is always asking why we do not work at night. We want to if we are allowed to."
The report also encourages hauliers to invest in environmental best practice. It says the use of "quieter and less polluting vehicles will aid any reconsideration by local authorities on night bans".
Owner-driver Dave Krynicki, who regularly delivers to supermarket regional distribution centres, believes the relaxation of night bans is crucial. "Ownerdrivers welcome anything which will help our business. This certainly will," he says.