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NE told: Think truck!
Page 9
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LOCAL AUTHORITIES in the North-East must focus on the needs of the freight industry or face damagingtheirlocal economy,according to a new policy document.
The North East Regional Freight Strategy is aimed at councils who are drawing up transport plans. Its recommendations include: • Shared freight and bus priority lanes to improve capacity • Relaxed delivery curfews to enhance vehicle usage • More and improved parking areas • Trucks to be exempt from any congestion charging proposals. There are only six dedicated truck stops in the North-East — the report notes: "The lack of such facilities.., has resulted in goods vehicles being forced to park in less suitable locations in both urban and rural areas."
However, virtually all the suggestions could come up against stiff local opposition, particularly from the environmental lobby.
Work on the strategy has been coordinated by the Freight Transport Association. Northern regional manager Malcolm Bingham believes its suggestions will be heard: "This is toset out what we need to be aiming at and how to balance the needs of a developing economy with those of the community."