Dip: no to NALC ban plat
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• The Department of 'I'ransport has rejected as "interesting but too expensive" proposals from the National Association of Local Councils to ban HGVs from most of the nation's Class B and C roads.
The NALC, which represents 7,500 town, parish and community councils in England and Wales, wrote to the DTp proposing a national and uniform system prohibiting trucks of more than 17 tonnes from all roads except "heavy lorry routes such as motorways and trunk roads".
A special dispensation is envisaged under the proposals for deliveries by heavy goods vehicles, but the NALC stresses such movements would be subject to a special licence.
One of the authors of the proposals, David Leeson, a parish councilllor for Albrighton in Shropshire, says: "Currently all roads will have to be brought up to standard to take lorry weights over 38 tonnes by 1999. Our suggestion would only mean bringing motorways and trunk roads up to standard; a less expensive alternative."
However, the Freight Transport Association says such ideas were considered, and rejected, in the Armitage report in the early 1980s. Don McIntyre, FTA controller of planning and traffic services, says: "We have to put this into perspective. Only 1.5% of HGVs use roads classified as B roads or less, and most of those are
making deliveries or have nc alternative route." McIntyre says the vast majority of he truck drivers follow the prirr ary trunk network signified the green background to roa signs.
Despite the rejection the NALC will continue to lobby for the plan, and hopes to w support from other organisa. tions like Friends of the Ear and Transport 2000.