Keep to routes
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• Shropshire County Council has reminded operators that any development involving heavy goods vehicles should be located where there is easy access to the county's advisory lorry route network.
Oswestry Borough Council is using Shropshire's policy to oppose plans by Grahame Johnson to base one vehicle at Picton Cottage, Wykey. The council and local residents opposed the plans before West Midland Licensing Authority Ronald Jackson, who has reserved decision pending a visit to the site.
Ronald Lewis, ()swestry's development control officer, said Shropshire also wants haulage depots to be well screened and located in places acceptable for residential areas.
If they are too far away from the lorry route network, lorries must use unsuitable roads and cause environmental problems.
Johnson was advised that his proposal would require planning permission of a sort which has never been granted.
John Sumner, a senior technician in the county's development control section, said the approach road has an average width of 4.05m and at its narrowest is 2.8m in width over a stretch of 150m.
The Freight Transport Association quotes a minimum width of 6m for roads used by heavy goods vehicles.
Shropshire would not object if Johnson sought a restricted licence for one vehicle for agricultural purposes.
Johnson's neighbours claimed that the road is already unable to cope with the heavy farm traffic.
Johnson said he used to drive for other hauliers, bringing his vehicle home, so there would be no increase in traffic if the licence was granted.
He intends to seek licence authority for a vehicle and trailer at another operating centre, but wants to bring the vehicle home at night.
Jackson said he might make a partial grant for a limited period while Johnson seeks another operating centre.