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Planning reform is a boon for truckstops
Page 9
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By Chris Tindatt THE DEPARTMENT for Transport (PIT) is trying to introduce lorry parking provisions into its national policy framework to speed up the development of new truck parks across the country.
The planning process is being overhauled in an attempt to prevent -nationally significant infrastructure projects" from stalling. lit a letter to Suffolk lorry park boss Karl Rout, the DfT has suggested it could also include measures to address the dearth of HGV parking facilities.
Policy adviser Steve Oliver says: "We hope the National Policy Statements (NPSs) could help preserve existing, and encourage the development of new, lorry parking sites."
The Planning Bill is going through Parliament; a DfT spokesman explains it sets out the types of infrastructure that will be covered by an NPS, including strategic roads and rail freight interchanges. The NPS would be produced to establish the case for certain infrastructure, such as a lorry park, and could be considered by a planning commission when making its decision.
The spokesman adds: ''We are still in the early stages of determining the scope and content of a National Networks NPS, and are therefore not in a position to comment on the detail of any particular mode."
Rout welcomes the move. "MPs and politicians are looking to be voted in again and they see lorry drivers as voters and want to keep them happy. But there's no one leading and saying 'this is a good idea'."