Contact: Hannah Baker, ext 6594 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(i) That approval be given to publish notice to make an Order under Sections 1 (1), 2 (4) and 3 (2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, in partnership with Wiltshire County Council, the effect of which will be to introduce a restriction on vehicles exceeding 7.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight on the roads in the area bounded by the A31, A338 and A36, subject to determination by the Director of Environment of the detailed schedule of roads to be included in the notice.

(ii) That delegated authority be given to the Director of Environment to make the Traffic Regulation Order, subject to there being no unresolved objections.

(iii) That a 7.5 tonne gross vehicle weight restriction be implemented in the financial year 2006/07, subject to an Order being made as above and the availability of budget.

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports Aims 2 and 4 (Stewardship of the Environment and Building Strong and Safe Communities) of the Corporate Strategy by taking the necessary steps to remove excess heavy traffic from the north of the New Forest National Park and from local communities where heavy traffic currently disrupt life in the community.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Do nothing. This option was rejected as a survey has identified a significant volume of traffic that is not using the strategic road network and instead using the B roads in the north of the New Forest, from Cadnam to Downton and from Cadnam to Fordingbridge. The outcome of the `informal' consultation has also shown a high level of support from local parish and town councils for the proposal to restrict heavy goods vehicles.

3.2 Furthermore, the `do nothing' option is not recommended as Wiltshire County Council could, in the absence of a cross-boundary scheme, introduce a weight restriction unilaterally on its section of the B3080. Such a scheme would have a significantly more adverse effect on the B3078 in Hampshire due to migratory traffic, which would include all traffic accessing the Pound Bottom Tip from the west. Such a diversion, if introduced, would impinge upon the Hampshire parishes/towns of Fordingbridge, Godshill and Brook.

3.3 Other classifications of restriction were also considered, such as a night- time only and an 18 tonne restriction. Both options were rejected owing to the fact that noise problems, due to heavy traffic, occur also in the daytime. Similarly, only a small proportion of heavy traffic is over 18 tonnes which would result in a reduction of only a small number of heavy goods vehicles, if this limit were adopted.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member Consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor J K Glen

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