Bans on increase
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AMENITY LORRY bans are being introduced at a faster rate than ever, according to the Freight Transport Association. But comfort can be drawn from the death of the York Cordon last week.
According to FTA planning and traffic services controller Richard Turner, 150 new amenity bans had been introduced by June 30. Earlier this year (CM, February 23), he predicted that an extra 200 this year would cost the industry £75m in extra running costs.
He expects that this will be exceeded, and points out that if the present rate of implementation continues, the figure could be as high as £90m. While that is probably too great a figure, FTA is far from happy with the scene.
But some peace of mind can be drawn from North Yorkshire County Council's decision last week to throw out plans for a 430 square mile three-ton limit on lorries around York.
Councillors, who referred to householders nerves and spirits being broken by heavy lorries, argued in favour of an experimental ban for a six-month period, but overali considerations went against the scheme to the tune of 35 votes to 17.
Surrounding counties had protested at the effect which such a ban would have upon them, and there also was a widely held view that the ban would be impossible to enforce.
The meeting resolved that the only satisfactory answer would be to construct a ring road around York,