More anti-smoke measures looming
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by Karen Miles • Hauliers last week received notice from the Government to expect a new wave of blocking measures against them in the fight to improve air quality.
The restrictions—which could include temporary or permanent road closures and a ban on freight vehicles from pollution hot spots—could be introduced by local authorities within two to three years.
The controls are seen as part of a wider package of traffic restrictions to improve air quality and are viewed as a U-turn on previous Government opposition to ad-hoc local authority action.
Environmentalists are claiming a victory, saying that for the first time traffic pollution is being treated by the Government as a public health issue_ The joint Departments of Environment and Transport proposals also raise the possibility of Government backing for local authorities running roadside emissions tests.
However, the Freight Transport Association, Road Haulage Association and the RAC are planning to fight any move to give civilians the power to flag down trucks. They are to lodge a petition against a bill, currently going through Parliament, which would give London local authorities power to stop and test vehicles (CM19-25 Jan).
The FTA, which is concerned at the possibility of local authorities bringing in hundreds of separate controls, is also worried that operators could be hit by parts of a 20-point transport plan published by the Government last week.
As part of the plan Transport Secretary Brian Mawhinney will consider making particulate traps compulsory on old diesel engines (CM 8-14 December) as well as look at tightening the law on local disturbance from depots.
The Government is expected to meet local authorities next month to hear suggestions on methods of improving air quality.
According to the DoE: "We want local authorities to tell us what they can do. That could possibly include closing streets and stopping trucks from running in particular areas. ..We want to make people's lives better."