RHA will stand by operators in Bath
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By Chris Tindall
THE ROAD HAULAGE Association (RHA) says it has had constructive talks with Bath council, which wants to introduce a second LGV ban in the city, and that it will continue fighting on behalf of hauliers if it goes ahead.
Bath and North East Somerset (Banes) council wants to clean up the air and improve road safety by preventing vehicles over 18 tonnes using a stretch of the A4 London Road – months after a ban was slapped on LGVs using the Town Bridge (CM 7 June).
According to local newspaper reports, the proposal has attracted criticism from the Highways Agency (HA) and local authorities, which believe it will force LGVs onto more unsuitable roads.
An HA spokeswoman says: “The HA works closely with partners on the road network, but we believe there is insufficient information on the proposed scheme to make a decision on banning LGVs.” RHA regional director Nick Payne says it has put forward alternative solutions to the council and these “were not dismissed out of hand”. He declines to go into details, but adds: “We put our suggestions forward. We are keeping an open mind as to moving forward. There are 20,000 cars and 335 trucks on London Road a day – congestion is not caused by trucks.” Payne adds: “If they do insist on [the ban] we will continue to object. We represent a lot of hauliers in that area.” A Banes council spokesman says the proposal is aimed at addressing a serious environmental issue in Bath and adds: “There has been extensive dialogue between Banes council and the authorities involved in this issue.”