Trucks could be banned from overtaking on the A12 after an independent inquiry recommended a 12-month trial between Hatfield Peverel and Marks Tey. While the idea may upset hauliers, the move has won the support of the Freight Transport Association (FTA) which says it no longer opposes HGV overtaking bans after trials showed they cause few delays to haulage operators. The association's U-turn on the controversial policy came about after a trial on the A14 was found to have given little benefit to private motorists, but instead provided a perception that hauliers were "keeping out of the way".
FTA regional policy manager Gordon Telling says: "We've evolved to accept there are stretches of road where an overtaking ban is appropriate, as long as it's part of a package of measures, so that more money is spent on crawler lanes. We would never voluntarily ask for an overtaking ban, but from a philosophical point of view we've eased off on our objections due to our experiences on the A14 and a number of other trials."
Telling made his comments following the publication of an independent inquiry into improvements to the A12, commissioned by Essex County Council. The inquiry recommended a 12-month trial HGV overtaking ban between Hatfield Peverel and Marks Tey.
One haulier, who did not want to be named, was less than impressed with the idea. "Why should trucks be penalised? Without trucks, this country would come to a standstill. All we're trying to do is conduct our business and the overtaking ban will just slow us up." The inquiry also recommends identifying one or more locations off the A12 where there could be secure parking for 100-200 lorries. It adds that once this is built, overnight parking in lay-bys should be prohibited. Telling says: "To create locations for truck drivers to have proper rest periods, overnight facilities and safe and secure sites to park in an emergency is an issue we've lobbied for. We're delighted to see they are being addressed in an appropriate way in this study."
The Road Haulage Association's manager of infrastructure, Chrys Rampley, adds: "It is essential that any improvement plans should identify one or more locations where secure parking could be provided for between 100 and 200 HGVs. This is a point we particularly stressed at the inquiry and we're pleased to see it has been included in the report's list of recommendations." The study also rules out road user charging on the A12 in the short to medium term. The council says it will "digest the recommendations and feed them into the normal decision-making processes".
