Scots fight for appeals
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by Amanda Bradbury • The Scottish Office is considering a change in Scottish law to give hauliers the statutory right of consultation and appeal to an independent body if local authorities impose lorry bans or restrictions.
If the move goes ahead the amount of consultation granted to Scots hauliers will be less dependent on the goodwill of local authorities towards the industry It is understood that the campaign by the Freight Transport Association's Scottish office has been fuelled by long-running rows with Grampian Regional Council over lorry access in Aberdeen. Government consultation will begin before the end of the year.
Scottish FTA regional director Bob Armstrong says that in the case of appeals against restrictions Scots law is unfair on the haulier: "The law needs to be brought into line with England and Wales where unresolved dis putes about traf fic orders between road users and the authorities have to go before an independent inspector who conducts an impartial hear. ing.
"In Scotland," he adds, "the hearing is conducted by the very people who made the decision in the first place: the transport committee of the council."
Armstrong says right of consultation is vital. At present, councils have to inform "one or more" interested parties—but these could exclude hauliers.
Vehicles over 7.5 tonnes could be banned from a section of Edinburgh's Royal Mile between 09:30-17:30hrs. The FTA says the plans could cause "major problems". Carlsberg Tetley has made its own complaint to Lothian Regional Council about the plans.
In a separate move, Grampian Regional Council is planning to pedestrianise a section of Union Street in Aberdeen city centre. The RHA is "seeking discussions" about the move.