Curfew overhaul
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A COMPLETE OVERHAUL of delivery curfew guidelines is expected to follow from a high level meeting of government officials and business leaders this week.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) will present evidence showing that curfews are currently costing 16 of its biggest members £269 a year.
And the Freight Ttansport Association will argue that the imposition of the WorkingTime Directive next month and the Lorry Road User Charge (LRUC) in 2008 will increase that cost even further.
Stephen Kelly, FTA urban access manager, says the aim of the meeting is to highlight the need for new best practice guidelines that local authorities, hauliers and retailers can all subscribe to.
"Various bodies have produced guidelines and the idea is to pull them all together into one cohesive document." He says that in many cases, a relaxation of curfews would reduce rush hour traffic congestion, helping to cut air pollution and accidents.
"Relaxing a curfew from between 11 am and 7pm to 12pm and Opm can make a hell Oa lot of difference. Industry has a role to play by using the most suitable vehicles for deliveries."