Bid now to GLC, says FTA
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OPERATORS without exemption permits from the Greater London Council's lorry ban should make urgent applications, according to the Freight Transport Association. It also expects vigorous policing of the night and weekend ban.
But they should aim to get permits with the minimum possible trouble and expenditure, PTA planning and traffic services manager Don McIntyre told members at a meeting in Nottingham last week.
Despite the Government's appeal against the GLC over the issue, the night and weekend ban for lorries over 16.5 tonnes is most likely to conic in as planned on lkcember 16, he warned.
And there will he no leeway from the police. Operators must have their exemption plates fitted on their vehicles frcmi midnight December 15, he said. "The police will make a show of enforcement in the first few days," he said.
He urged operators who have not Sent their application forms off to the GLC, to do it straight away so permits can be processed in time.
He also recommended keeping a copy of the form, at a covering note stressing to the GLC the confidentiality of the informa non, and sending it by recorded delivery to County Hall.
If there is no acknowledgment from the GLC within Ill days, operators should ring and check what is happening, he said.
But McIntyre told the members to apply for permits with "the minimum possible hassle and expenditure" to their businesses.
This means taking the fullest advantage of the GLC's
of that any vehicle modifications, such as the fitting of hush-kits, can be made within the next year — and not straight away.
And if a vehicle is due to he replaced before the end of 1986, permits should be obtained for the vehicle without modifications being made to it, he said.
But operators should try to co-operate with the GLC and seek permits at this stage of the proceedings. McIntyre said. If they are turned down by the GLC the next step is to go to the independent appeals advisory committee.
McIntyre warned: "Don't get to the appeals stage. Out of the six people on it, only one knows anything at all about distribution and transport. The GLC is just going through the motions of having an appeals panel. And it's only advisory to the GLC transport committee."
He also attacked the GL, for leaving operators wichot any idea of what is require to get a permit.
Confusion was also voice from members at the meetin on how they should act if ; some point in the future or of their vehicles needed t come from the Midlands int London at the banned times.
McIntyre urged them t apply for permits for all ( their vehicles, so retainin complete flexibility in the us of the fleet.
He stressed that operator do not need to apply fc permits for their trailers permits apply only to th motor vehicle — and th2 hired vehicles must be co' ercd by permits arranged b the hiring company.