Amenity lorry bans are 'black economy'
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FREIGHT transport users expect that amenity lorry bans will cost the country at least £75m by the end of the year, and the Freight Transport Association says that the pace is quickening.
FTA planning and traffic services controller Richard Turner was referring to the 45 extra amenity bans which the Association has identified in the last two months, and which he describes as a "black economy" of public expenditure.
Since November last year, FTA has identified 11 new three-ton unladen weight limits and one 6ft 6in width restriction in the Midlands, six three-ton weight limits in the North of England, 14 three-ton limits, two five-ton limits, and two 6ft 6in width limits in South-east England, and eight three-ton and one two-ton limit in South-west England.
In only one case — the Windsor Cordon — are permit holders given special access.
Mr Turner went on to tell CM that the 400 schemes known before that date cost :ransport and industry £42.5m I year. If the last two months' ;rowth rate continues ,hrough the year, and there is 50 per cent increase in the lumber of amenity bans, the ost will rise to £63m.
Twenty per cent inflation will increase that figure to :.75m. Mr Turner added that he hought his figures were, if mything, conservative.
FTA is worried that local .uthorities will find lorry bans ncreasingly attractive, as lublic expenditure cuts preent them from improving oads. "For the cost of a few igns, the authorities can gain an enormous amount of control," he said.
Mr Turner said that Devon County Council is talking openly about imposing amenity bans. "It cannot build by-passes, and must use traffic management. And that means lorry bans."
He believes that the Court of Appeal hearing over the Windsor Cordon-scheduled for June 3 — will be vital. "If we [RHA, FTA, and the National Farmers' Union] lose, it's bound to be a watershed. Others will want the same."
And he went on to accuse supporters of the amenity bans of creating a "black economy" in public expenditure. The money spent through lorry bans comes from industry instead of local authorities, and everyone pays in the long run.
While North Yorkshire County Council does not plan to spend a great sum on its projected York Cordon, FTA has calculated that the scheme will cost industry £3.75m a year.
The A58 ban around Leeds is similarly expensive, he said, and added: "Is the A58 ban worth over E1000 per house? Is this the sort of money which a community can afford to spend?"