Archived decisions

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

1. Summary

1.1 This paper outlines the responses received from the `informal' consultation exercise, previously approved by the Executive Member for Environment: North Hampshire and Spatial Strategy on 13 September 2005. The consultation was carried out from 24 October to 2 December 2005 to seek views on a possible 7.5 tonne gross vehicle weight restriction covering the B3078, B3079 and B3080 in Hampshire. This was seen as an opportunity to test reactions to the potential scheme prior to drafting a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for formal consultation.

2. Background

2.1 The report approved by the Executive Member for Environment in September 2005 outlined the level of heavy traffic that was recorded `through-routeing' from Cadnam to Downton and from Cadnam to Fordingbridge following an extensive survey of lorry movements. Through-routeing refers to vehicles that are not stopping within the restricted area (bounded by the A31, A338, A36) for access or delivery.

2.2 `Informal' consultation on the proposal was approved. This sought to engage key local stakeholders including town and parish councils, the National Park Authority, a sample of local hauliers and businesses, and County and District Members. A plan showing the affected area is attached as Appendix 1 and a detailed drawing will be displayed at the meeting.

3. Informal Consultation Outcome

3.1 Of 53 organisations/individuals written to as part of the consultation, 17 responses were received; a 32% response rate. A summary of comments received is set out in Appendix 2.

3.2 The majority of responses, nine, were from parish or town councils. All such respondents supported the proposal, either wholly or, in a few cases, qualified by suggested minor amendments to the scheme. The National Park Authority also supports the proposal.

3.3 New Forest District Council also supports the scheme, subject to detailed comments on the boundary, and urges early implementation.

3.4 The response has been low from businesses, receiving only one reply from a freight operator located in Downton. That operator is supportive of restrictions on the B3080 and B3079, but not on the B3078. The level of response from businesses is disappointing and does not give a clear indication of the likely level of potential objections to a draft Order.

3.5 Hampshire Police have been involved in the working group and maintain the position that they will not object to a formal TRO. They do however stress that enforcement, where safety is not a fundamental issue, will be fairly low. The Police have applied similar principles to the HGV restriction in Lyndhurst and the south of the New Forest, and the general perception by the Council is that the restriction has had an overall benefit.

3.6 All of the comments received will be reviewed and assessed as part of the partnership approach with Wiltshire County Council. Should minor changes to the boundary of the restriction be required then these will be made accordingly before the next steps are carried out.

4. Local Members' Views

4.1 The local Members for Fordingbridge and Ringwood, Councillors Mrs Heron and Clarke, support the scheme.

5. Next Steps

5.1 It is suggested, given the level of support received from Parish Councils (representing local communities) as well as the lack of specific objections from the locally based businesses, that a formal TRO be drafted and advertised to take forward a 7.5 tonne gross vehicle weight restriction. It is anticipated that comments from the freight authorities and local businesses are only likely to come forward through the statutory consultation process required for a TRO.

5.2 If the Order does not attract unresolved objections then the scheme could move to implementation in 2006/07, subject to the availability of budget, with the Order approved under delegated powers. If the Order does attract significant objections then it would need to be reported back to the Executive Member for Environment: North Hampshire and Spatial Strategy for determination on whether it should proceed.

6. Impact Assessments

6.1 It is considered that the progression of this scheme does not have any detrimental impacts on equalities or race discrimination. The recommendation to undertake a TRO will encourage participation from the general public as well as statutory bodies.

Recommendations

1. 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.

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

3. 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.

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