Heather Kidd, Shropshire Councillor for Chirbury and Worthen, has urged Shropshire Council to intervene in a key consultation about speed limits for HGVs currently being undertaken by the Government.
Heather said “There is a real danger here that the Government once again ignores the distinct conditions that exist in rural areas like ours and give in to pressures from urban businesses.
“If speed limits are raised it could see HGV racing at 60mph down our country roads – as if we don’t have enough problems with speeding vehicles as it is! Additionally heavy vehicles travelling at speed with inflict significant additional damage to our already battered roads and verges. Such damage will almost certainly be more to our small roads than large trunk roads. I am also concerned that I see many lorry drivers using their mobile phones whilst driving. Speed will make any accident much worse.
“The Council need to respond quickly to this consultation as the deadline is fast approaching.”
Notes:
Consultation on HGV Speed limits by Department of Transport
The maximum speed limit for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) over 7.5 tonnes on single carriageway roads is prescribed in Schedule 6 of the Road Traffic Act 1984. The current speed limit on single carriageways for HGVs over 7.5 tonnes is 40 miles per hour. The speed limit for smaller HGVs (those between 3.5 tonnes and 7.5 tonnes) is 50 mph. The government made a commitment in ‘The logistics growth review – connecting people with goods’ document published in November 2011, to consult on this issue during 2012.
Stakeholders have said that the 40 mph speed limit causes unnecessary cost to vehicle operators, congestion, avoidable overtaking accidents and creates an uneven playing field for businesses.
The freight and logistics sector is an essential part of the economy, vital to businesses of all sizes and sectors. Raising HGV speed limits on single carriageway roads could lead to quicker journeys and lower costs for the sector, aiding economic growth as well as reducing frustration for the many drivers who find themselves stuck behind slower-moving lorries on busy roads unable to overtake.
However there are other consequences of greater speed – both in terms of the environmental impacts and the potential effects on road safety. The department wants to make sure we have carefully considered the evidence of all of the effects on the economy, environment and road safety before any decision is made.