Residents move against hauliers
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wi Haulage firms In Worcestershire and Gloucestershire may be forced to move their operating centres following a campaign by thousands of families from the counties' towns and villages. Local residents have been complaining for more than two years about IIGVs causing noise, traffic dangers and damage to roadside properties.
Recently they have called for HGVs to be banned from their areas, for nearby haulage firms to be relocated and for planning permission by any new haulage firms to be refused. Cotswold resident Maurice Andrews, one of the campaign leaders, says: "We need action now—they [HOVs] are causing too much disruption."
In response, district councils in the Cotswolds, Stratford and Whyavon, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire have teamed up to draft a series of planning guidelines for heavy transport.
Cotswold District Council has appointed consultants HaIcrew to study freight movements by transport operators in the areas and to recommend solutions.
Senior planning officer lona Cameron says: The idea is to reduce the number of heavy vehicles by restricting new developments that would increase lorry numbers.' She explains that the council will look carefully at potential business expansions which might increase truck movements in the area, and at how land could be used if transport and distribution businesses do relocate.
The deadline for responses to the survey is MI April.