FTA slams Sowerby ban
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• Plans to impose a 7.5-tonne limit on stretches of road near the site of the Fewston Transport truck disaster are set to be approved.
Calderdale Council has agreed to restrictions on the stretch of the A672 linking Rippondon with Junction 22 of the M62 to stop heavy trucks from the M62 cutting through Sowerby Bridge. Earlier plans to apply the limit to the southern section of the A58 have been dropped (CM 21-27 March).
The Freight Transport Association has objected to the plan as "unjustified". It says an alternative route via the A629 would add an extra six miles in each direction.
It argues that a two-day council study of the affected roads found IAA's made up only 6".) of total traffic, and just 16% of that was through traffic. The FTA has also aiticised the council's proposed permit scheme to allow local hauliers and deliveries into the area.
It says the permits would be an administrative burden to operators and council alike, and would be unfair to those on oneoff deliveries.
The FTA's Jonathan James says: "We are not anti all road restrictions but in our opinion this is the type of ban that is unjustifiable."
A final decision is expected within two months.