Hauliers run into capital ban trap
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by Rob WiIIock 11 Hauliers are being prosecuted for contravening the London lorry ban even if they use roads which are not signposted or shown as part of the scheme on the Lorry Control Unit's own map.
Last week Middlesex haulier Holmes of Heathrow was convicted and fined on five counts of using Faggs Road in Feltham. Although it is not signposted as restricted from the Heathrow end (A30), nor marked on the map, the road is restricted by the London Borough's Transport Scheme. It does not pass any houses en route to the Radius Park Industrial Estate to which Holmes was delivering.
Its vehicle was stopped the fifth time it travelled 30 metres on the "restricted" road. Fines for breaking the ban average £250 but Feltham magistrates fined Holmes only .E50 "with some sympathy", and told the company to pay just half the prosecution costs. Holmes: Example of unfair law targeted at hauliers.
London authorities are under no obligation to erect signs. The legislation simply states that the authority "may erect signs".
This, says Holmes, implies that hauliers are expected to have a knowledge of London's streets better than any taxi driver. He is to appeal against the conviction as a matter of principle. Lorry Control Unit director Barry Hornet admits: "There was a signage problem—in London there will always be the odd sign missing—but it does not excuse this local company's ignorance of the scheme."
Hornet says the case has removed a grey area in the law, but adds that the Lorry Control Unit is now undertaking a review of signs to ensure that every road in the scheme is clearly marked.
L Each month the Lorry Control Unit publishes a list of the haulage firms fined for contravening the ban, and each month the list includes vehicles from almost every large transport company. Most hauliers CM has spoken to see the fines as an everyday part of operating in the capital.