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Stamford ban adds 28 miles
Page 12
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II by Guy Sheppard
Haulage leaders are demanding a public inquiry into a ban on lorry traffic through a Lincolnshire town, claiming it is extending journeys by up to 28 miles.
The Road Haulage Association and the Freight Transport Association say a misleading impression about the effects of a year-long experimental ban in Stamford was created before the county council decided to make it permanent in September.
Traffic statistics have since been reinterpreted by independent consultants Babtie, which says the number of arks fell by 50% after the ban was introduced. But it points out that, overall, the amount of HGV traffic in the town has only dropped by 7% with large numbers of HGV drivers either ignoring the ban altogether or diverting on to unsuitable local roads.
Joe Heesom, FTA regional policy advisor, says: 'We believe that the only way to decide this is via a public inquiry." He adds that the worst affected hauliers are those needing to travel in an easterly or westerly direction through the town, with diversions adding up to 28 miles to their journeys. "Castle Cement at Ketton is only about four miles west of Stamford and they are on record as saying its costing £6000 a year extra in fuel," he adds.
Stamford Chamber of Trade R6 Commerce says the traffic statistics prove that few HGVs in the town form part of longdistance through-traffic. It is calling on the council to consider building a relief road and a second river bridge to relieve traffic congestion from cars as well as trucks.
Nigel Simons, a county council highways manager, says about 300 letters were received in support of the ban and 20 were against it. He adds that the council may decide to overturn the ban next month following further consultation in the light of the Babtie report.
Comments should be sent to Simons by November, c/o Lincolnshire County Com Highways Division, South Kestaven Sleaford County Office, Annex C, Eastgi Sleaford NG347EB.