Lorry bans
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• Many towns and cities impose restrictions on heavy vehicle movements in their centres as a means of easing congestion. They limit the flexibility of any haulier with customers In these urban centres and are especially disruptive for operators making multiple deliveries—frequently resulting in fines, and sometimes missed deliveries. But no lorry ban can compare with London's when it comes to making life difficult for hauliers.
Geoff Martin, managing director of Rug*. Staffs-based Geoff Martin Transport, describes London as becoming "a minefield", with parking now so difficult and the wardens increasingly enthusiastic in their work. Martin's vehicles make frequent multi-drop deliveries inside the M25. For his firm, this is a necessary evil: "My drivers loathe going into London," he says. "We lust want to get in, do our job and get out again." Needless to say, his drivers are usually prevented from doing so without a lot of hassle and, very often, a fine.
The London Lorry Ban came into force in 1986, the result of the Greater London Traffic Order Act, 1985. It effectively keeps vehicles over 16.5 tonnes GVW to a specified network at specified times unless they have been issued with exemption permits.
Such tales of woe abound—and there are sure to be more horror stories just around the corner. Mayor Ken Livingstone's Transport for London taskforce is formulating its own congestion charge strategy that could mean a blanket fee (.8515 the popular quote) on all vehicles entering London at certain times of the day. Any restrictions thus imposed could be in addition to the existing lorry ban and could even conflict with it.