FTA fights two-lane m-way ban
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• The FTA has lodged a strong objection to the DoE's proposal to restrict all goods vehicles over 30cwt unladen to the inner two lanes of three-and four-lane motorways.
Such a blanket restriction would, the RHA believes, impede the free flow of motorway traffic, increase congestion in the nearside two lanes and worsen the serious problem of bunching: Vehicles with a permitted speed limit of 70 mph would be denied the right to use the offside lane to overtake slower traffic. Drivers would also be denied the right to choose the most suitable lane according to traffic conditions.
The Association believes there is no evidence to support such a ban. Further restrictions, says the FTA, on traffic flow must not be contemplated solely on the grounds of compatibility with European practices — especially when discussions on future standards are yet to be resolved.
The FTA is gathering evidence in support of the problem, which it hopes to discuss with the Department.
The PTA's objection was described by the British Safety Council this week as "absolute madness". The BSC 'considered that much of the space in nearside lanes was vastly under-used.