Night-time ban starts
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THE NIGHT-TIME heavy lorry ban on one of North London's major lorry routes got underway on Wednesday this week.
The ban operates from lOpm — 6am in a westbound direction in Graham Road, Hackney, and northbound in Archway Road, Islington.
The experimental ban will affect vehicles over 7.5 tonnes maximum gross weight, and has been instituted by the Greater London Council.
The ban coincides with the opening of the final part of the north-east sector of the M25 between the Al and the Dartford Tunnel which the GLC believes should be the proper route for lorries in future. The section was opened on Wednesday by the Transport Secretary.
The scheme bans vehicles from entering the north westbound slip road off the A102(M) into Wick Road; from Eastway into Homerton Road and from the north westbound carriageway of Archway Road.
The Freight Transport Association said the night ban was a premature measure as it will not be possible to assess the benefits of the M25.
And speaking on the general subject of night and weekend bans, the ETA said that such bans would have a major adverse effect on business both inside London and throughout the country.
"Night/weekend lorry operation does not represent a soft option for industry, but an expensive necessity — to ban it would hog-tie the companies that rely on it, ultimately forcing them to emigrate to more friendly areas."
Osee News Extra, p17