• Drivers boycott threat
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LORRY drivers are threatening to boycott Newmarket in Suffolk because the local council wants to ban heavy goods vehicles from the two main car parks in the town.
The United Road Transport Union is now involved in the row and the union's general secretary, Jackson Moore, has described the ban proposal as "totally irresponsible."
Lorries will be unable to use the Ellesmere House and Valley Way car parks if the Forest Heath District Council's plan to install height restriction barriers goes through as expected.
The drivers rejected councillor's objections to lorries using the car parks on noise, congestion and maintenance costs grounds as "unreasonable."
Lorry drivers from all over the country who regularly use the car parks have signed a petition, organised by lorry driver and action group leader, Terry Fletcher, who has said if there is no satisfactory solution, the dispute may spread nationwide.
Mr Moore said the issue would have to go to the union's executive committee before any official action was taken. But he commented: "Obviously, the executive is going to be terribly sympathetic."