Norfolk County Council is battling a backlash against plans to allow Foulger Transport to use bus lanes in Norwich to boost interest in Foulger's freight consolidation centre (FCC). Cyclists' lobby group Norwich Cycling Campaign says it is concerned about LGVs hitting cyclists and is using Transport for London statistics
that it claims show LGVs are responsible for more than 50% of cyclist fatalities in the capital.
Chairman Richard Bearman says: "As a concept I have no problem with [FCCs]. The difficulty is the continual erosion of bus lane space by Norfolk County Council. It's not a question of the number of LGVs it's a question of size and the physical space of the road."
Foulger Transport business development manager Graham Mayes says a trial of the scheme could begin in a couple of months. He adds: "In terms of the long-term strategy of deliveries into Norwich it can only enhance the offering being made to the market. In the centre of Norwich at the moment the whole of it is restricted for commercial vehicles after 10am. The window of opportunity is very narrow and we have to make as much use of that as we possibly can."
David Sprunt, the council's transportation co-ordinator, says the trial will last six months. He adds: "We are aware there are some concerns, which is
why it's an experimental order. It's just to see how it works in the real world. We will instigate a 'Share with Care' code, which has been agreed with Foulger. Part of this route is 40mph. Irrespective of the speed limit, while in the bus lane these vehicles will only do 30mph. If we get feedback that they are abusing this we can take action we know where those lorries are from. "They will also only use it when the road is congested and the operator has agreed to put in special mirrors so they can see cyclists."
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