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GLC goes softly on night ban plan

10th March 1984, Page 18
10th March 1984
Page 18
Page 18, 10th March 1984 — GLC goes softly on night ban plan
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Still no decision

NONE of the industry's uncertainty about the future of lorry operation in London disappeared last week when the Greater London Council agreed to conduct further studies into a 16-ton weight limit between 9pm and lam and from Saturday lunchtime to lam on Mondays, reports ALAN MILLAR.

This is the latest edge forward for plans first aired when the Labour GLC administration published its 1981 local election manifesto, and set up the Wood Inquiry to report on the possible effects of a wide range of lorry bans in its area..

But last week's meeting (CM, March 3), while giving a clearer sign of the direction in which the GLC wants to go, only authorised council officers to carry out further studies into a specific ban, and the industry must wait until May at the earliest before it learns what vehicles will be exempt from the restrictions.

A ban cannot take effect for another year at least, and if the council holds a public inquiry into the plan, it could be 1986 before the controls are implemented. By that time, most of the M25 orbital route will be complete, and the transport industry argues that would diminish the need for such a formal ban.

Before the GLC transport committee met last week, committee chair Dave Wetzel said the council is prepared to discuss individual problems with industry as they arise, and council officers were planning to contact all firms with which the GLC has had contact to try to allay their fears.

The council is also dangling a somewhat vague olive branch before operators by saying that heavier "quiet" vehicles will be exempt from controls. No limit has been stipulated for this, but it will not be the 80dB(A) figure which the Transport and Road Research Laboratory is aiming for in its QHV90 project.

GLC transport planner Martin Foulkes said that some operators had been very willing to discuss quieter vehicles with the GLC, and said a GLC noise limit might act as a stimulus to the development of such a vehicle. According to Mr Wetzel, operators are willing to paint quieter vehicles with conspicuous signwriting.

Conservative councillors voted against the ban proposals last week, and Labour member Tom Jenkinson (a former transport manager) abstained, but the remaining Labour and Liberal members ensured that the measure was approved.

One Conservative warned Mr Wetzel that his administration was "trying to run before you can walk, and you're going to fall flat on your faces." Opposition transport spokesman Cyril Taylor said: "My mind boggles at 5,000 juggernauts waiting, revving up at 7am to enter London when the ban ends."

Mr Jenkinson urged the committee to consider the effect a ban would have on East London industry and said lorry controls were a matter best left to borough councils.

The GLC is worried lest its ban should be over-ruled by Transport Secretary Nicholas Ridley, and its cautious approach reflects the advice of its legal department. It is also prepared to press on with its plans, whether or not Mr Ridley agrees to a ban on trunk roads.

Mr Wetzel said last week: "We have got to consult with Nicholas Ridley to show we are not planning Armageddon for London."

Should the ban include trunk roads, the GLC estimates road signs would cost £150,000 to erect, but exclusion of trunk roads would add £400,000 to the cost.


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