LMZ 'a waste of time and money'
A recently-imposed Lorry Management Zone (LMZ) will provide little to no benefit to local residents while causing massive inconvenience for drivers, it has been claimed.
The Freight Transport Authority (FTA) has issued a statement outlining the faults of the LMZ, which was launched yesterday (April 15th) by Gloucestershire County Council.
"FTA has warned throughout the consultation process that the LMZ would be a complete waste of time and money," said Ian Gallagher, FTA's policy manager for the south-west.
"Before the scheme, less than four [heavy goods vehicles] used the A46 every hour - a relatively low volume for an A-road anyway. With exemptions, this will now be reduced to just over two trucks per hour. It hardly justifies the cost of new signage."
The new LMZ will cover a 164 sq mile area beginning at Cheltenham and Gloucester in the north and will run to Cirencester and Stroud in the south.
Extra costs will now be incurred by freight companies and the environment, Mr Gallagher added, claiming that the additional miles travelled to avoid the LMZ will mean that even more fuel will be burnt.
