“The pandemic has seen an increase in goods traffic through certain of our villages and market towns. This home delivery phenomenon has coincided with more residents taking the welcome step of increasing the number of journeys they take by bicycle and on foot. As well as serving to make our roads less safe for pedestrians and cyclists, the rise in HGV traffic has contributed to air pollution and affected the wellbeing of residents, who are subjected to the noise and vibrations emitted from larger vehicles.
Many rural roads were not built for the present volume of HGV traffic and it is reasonable to conclude that there will be adverse consequences for the surfaces of many of our highways if this increase does not abate. Moreover, it is a regrettable fact that even where weight restrictions are implemented, they are too often ignored.
This Council resolves to agree a comprehensive HGV route network for Oxfordshire and to facilitate reasonable measures to assist and encourage:
1. Communities to report HGV restriction infringements;
2. Thames Valley Police to take appropriate action against persistent offenders;
3. Technology and haulage companies to incorporate this Council’s route network and advisory freight routes within their GPS systems;
4. Delivery firms to switch increasingly to hybrid or electric vehicles; and
5. The installation of appropriate and enforceable 20mph speed limits, together with physical highways restraints, in the areas worst affected.
6. To implement a agreed Cross County wide network of HGV routes.”
Minutes:
With the consent of Council, Councillor Eddie Reeves moved and Councillor Stefan Gawrysiak seconded the following motion, amended at the suggestion of Councillor Duncan Enright as follows:
“The pandemic has seen an increase in goods traffic through certain of our villages and market towns. This home delivery phenomenon has coincided with more residents taking the welcome step of increasing the number of journeys they take by bicycle and on foot. As well as serving to make our roads less safe for pedestrians and cyclists, the rise in HGV traffic has contributed to air pollution and affected the wellbeing of residents, who are subjected to the noise and vibrations emitted from larger vehicles.
Many rural roads were not built for the
present volume of HGV traffic and it is reasonable to
conclude that there will be adverse consequences for the
surfaces of many of our highways if this increase does not
abate. Moreover, it is a regrettable fact that even where weight
restrictions are implemented, they are too often
ignored.
This Council resolves to base the new
Freight and logistics strategy agree a comprehensive HGV
route network for Oxfordshire on the principle of
“avoid-switch-improve”.
Working with local firms, the Road
Haulage Association and neighboring authorities, the Council will
establish a Regional Network of well-serviced HGV through routes,
and bring in and to facilitate reasonable
measures to assistor encourage:
1. Communities to report HGV restriction infringements;
2. Thames Valley Police to take appropriate action against persistent offenders;
3.
Technology and haulage
companies to reflect the Strategy incorporate this
Council’s route network and advisory freight routes
within their GPS systems;
4. Delivery firms to switch increasingly to hybrid or electric vehicles; and
5. The installation of appropriate and enforceable 20mph speed limits, together with physical highways restraints, in the areas worst affected.
6.
To implement a
agreed Cross County wide network of HGV
routes.”
Following debate, the motion as amended was put to the vote and was carried by 17 votes to 0). (unanimously).
RESOLVED:
“The pandemic has seen an increase in goods traffic through certain of our villages and market towns. This home delivery phenomenon has coincided with more residents taking the welcome step of increasing the number of journeys they take by bicycle and on foot. As well as serving to make our roads less safe for pedestrians and cyclists, the rise in HGV traffic has contributed to air pollution and affected the wellbeing of residents, who are subjected to the noise and vibrations emitted from larger vehicles.
Many rural roads were not built for HGV traffic and there will be adverse consequences for many of our highways if this increase does not abate. Moreover, it is a regrettable fact that even where weight restrictions are implemented, they are too often ignored.
This Council resolves to base the new Freight and logistics strategy for Oxfordshire on the principle of “avoid-switch-improve”.
Working with local firms, the Road Haulage Association and neighboring authorities, the Council will establish a Regional Network of well-services HGV through routes, and bring in measures to assist or encourage:
1. Communities to report HGV restriction infringements;
2. Thames Valley Police to take appropriate action against persistent offenders;
3. Technology and haulage companies to reflect the Strategy within their GPS systems;
4. Delivery firms to switch increasingly to hybrid or electric vehicles; and
5. The installation of appropriate and enforceable 20mph speed limits, together with physical highways restraints, in the areas worst affected.