FTA and RHA label the Gloucester HGV ban as pointless

The FTA (Freight Transport Association) and the RHA (Road Haulage Association) have recently labelled the ban on HGVs in certain parts of the Cotswolds as utterly pointless. This “pointless” ban will supposedly prevent all potential HGVs above 8-tonne from travelling in or through the Cotswold area.

Despite this, the Gloucestershire County Council has already given the trial ban a decisive go-ahead. Naturally, there are those who firmly believe that this specific ban is in fact a bad move. However, some think that the ban is actually useful and therefore quite promising.

Stephen Kelly, head of policy for both the Midlands and Wales at the FTA, says:

“The overall stats that I have seen clearly stipulate that this ban will indeed reduce the number of HGVs in the area by 30 a day – but that will still leave approximately 40-60 making deliveries in the area.”

Simon Higgins, Area Manager for Wales, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire at the RHA, adds:

“Understanding the underlying nature of the ban is an issue for most residents. Therefore, the majority of residents will probably think that HGVs are completely banned from this area. This could ultimately cause a lot of bad feelings towards those that are legitimately working in the region.”