London Lorry Control Scheme needs reform
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By Hayley Pink
THE CHAIRMAN of the Brewery Logistics Group has criticised London Councils' plan (CM 23 January) to introduce additional safety equipment for London Lorry Control Scheme (LLCS) members, describing it as a knee-jerk reaction to cyclist deaths in the capital.
Mike Bracey said the scheme needed a radical overhaul. "The LLCS is an antiquated, noisecontrol scheme, basically ensuring that Londoners do not have their sleep affected," he said. "Why should this suddenly change to a cycling safety control
system, where there are no benefits to the Londoner's sleep patterns by doing so?"
London Councils is consulting the public on its proposals to bring in a requirement for all HGVs of 18 tonnes and over within the LLCS to fit additional mirrors and sideguards to improve safety.
Bracey told CM he had written to London Councils asking for data on the reasons behind the proposals, such as the number of cyclists that ride bikes at nighttime and the number of construction vehicles operating between 9pm and 7am. London Councils was unable to
provide him with the information he requested.
"Let's bring sanity into the 21st century by reviewing the basis of the LLCS, and not just allowing an unfortunate circumstance to change the concept in the wrong direction," he added.
A spokeswoman for London Councils said: "The primary purpose of the LLCS is to improve the environment in which Londoners live and work.
"It is therefore entirely appropriate that the scheme is used not only to minimise noise pollution, but to improve road safety and encourage cycling in the capital."