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Traffic Commissioner urges operating centre objectors to contad local MP

1st February 2007
Page 39
Page 39, 1st February 2007 — Traffic Commissioner urges operating centre objectors to contad local MP
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Keywords : Betchworth, Mole Valley

SOUTH EASTERN AND Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner Christopher Heaps has told objectors to an operating centre that he shares their disappointment at his inability to take into account the suitability of the nearby local highway network when considering applications Heaps told Surrey County Council, Mole Valley District Council and 20 local residents,who were objecting to a variation application for two licences at a Surrey centre, that they should raise the matter with their MR David Collingwood, trading as Construction & Demolition Services, had applied to vary his existing licence to base one vehicle at Old Barley Mow, Old Reigate Road, Betchworth. Fairlight Transport Services.of which Collingwood is a director, was seeking to vary its licence by basing three vehicles at the site.

Heaps granted the application on the condition that vehicles turn left into and out of the operating centre. and that authorised vehicles should not operate at, to or from the centre except between 7am and 7pm Monday to Friday.

He appreciated that other operators at the site might not currently be subject to those conditions, but he believed them appropriate to protect highway users and the residents of nearby Barley Mow Court. The TC also warned it was likely that he would propose imposing similar conditions on any future licence applications at the site, and during the fiveyearly reviews of existing licences.

Heaps added that, at many public inquiries, local authorities and residents had expressed surprise and disappointment that TCs were unable to take into account the suitability of the local highway network in the vicinity of an operating centre. He shared their views and, in the interests of road safety, invited obSummary jectors to talk to their local MP if they wished to see changes in the legislation.

Heaps understood that Betchworth Parish Council found it surprising that parish councils were not identified as statutory objectors in these cases. Again, he invited parish council members to raise the matter with their MP Because 10 operators were already authorised at the site for a total of 28 vehicles and 22 trailers, the TC was not satisfied he should refuse the applications. But he felt the increased activity would have an adverse impact on the environment and was satisfied it would be appropriate to impose conditions to minimise that impact.


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