\to to A9 orry ban plan
Page 18
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
PROPOSAL THAT EAVY articulated vehicles banned from the Perthverness road — A9 — has ;en turned down by the ;cretary of State for ;otland. The suggestion me from Inverness roads mmittee, which wanted e ban imposed on A9 and i30 — the road through to allaig, another section of e Highland road network ach used by heavy lorries. The Scottish Developmit Department has )lied that it is doubted tether "apart from the actical difficulties of plementation," such a aye would make a nificant contribution to id safety. The Departnt said that hundreds of msands of journeys were ide each month by iicles carrying dangerous ds, and by articulated licles, and though ividual accidents received 'hefty, the "accident rate in fact, very small".
Ile limitations suggested the county would mean, ailed journeys which uld in turn be further appear to be increasing.
The committee had complicated by legislation relating to drivers' hours and would involve "quite serious interference with the workings of industry". The Department felt that neither the percentage nor volume of heavy goods vehicles on A9 was high and it did not suggested that heavy commercial road traffic on A9 and A830 be switched to the railways, which, they thought, provided an adequate alternative. But the Department said: "The Secretary of State, as highway authority for trunk roads, would find it difficult to argue that the use of these roads, by heavy commercial traffic was not a legitimate use."
The committee is recommending that the council continues to pursue the matter — in a modified manner — but with particular reference to obtaining regulations to control the movement of heavy commercial vehicles when roads are .badly affected by snow and ice.