Contact: Chris Reeves, ext 01962 857814 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1. The following decisions are sought:

(i) That an Order be made under Sections 1(1), 2(4) and 3(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the effect of which will be to prohibit heavy commercial vehicles (ie goods vehicles having a maximum gross weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes) from proceeding in any road within the zone described in Appendix 1, except for loading/unloading purposes.

(ii) That the Project Appraisal for the installation of the 7.5 tonne restriction in the northern part of the New Forest, at an estimated cost of £100,000, be approved.

2. Reason

2.1 The scheme will reduce the number of heavy commercial vehicles on the northern part of the New Forest National Park, with a subsequent reduction of associated noise and pollution giving positive benefits for the well-being of communities situated on the B3078, B3079 and B3080, and for the recreational users of this area of the Forest.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Do nothing. This option was rejected as a survey identified a significant volume of heavy goods vehicle traffic using the 'B' roads across the north of the New Forest, between Cadnam and Downton, and between Cadnam and Fordingbridge. The outcome of both the informal consultation and the statutory consultation has shown a high level of support from local parish and town councils for the proposal to restrict heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).

3.2 Furthermore, the `do nothing' option would have been unacceptable in the event that Wiltshire County Council could, in the absence of an agreed cross-boundary scheme, introduce a weight restriction unilaterally on the section of the B3080 within Wiltshire. Had this happened significantly more heavy vehicles would have diverted onto the B3078 in Hampshire, which would have included all the traffic accessing Pound Bottom Tip from the west. This would have resulted in a significant increase of HGV movements, particularly through Godshill.

3.3 Other types of restrictions on HGV movements were considered, such as night-time only and an 18 tonne restriction. Both options were eventually rejected due to the fact that peak movements of heavy lorries, and the noise they create, are a daytime problem and only a small proportion of the traffic using these routes are over 18 tonnes. Such restrictions would have had little noticeable effect on either noise or intrusive traffic movements by HGVs.

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

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - None.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - None.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor M J Kendal

Executive Member for Environment

1074Decn/CR