News

The introduction of a permanent daytime overtaking ban for HGVs on a section of the M42 could "open the floodgates" for similar schemes across the country, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) has warned. 

Under the Highways Agency (HA) plan, trucks of 7.5 tonnes and over will be forced to use the inside lane of an uphill three-mile dual-carriageway  stretch, between junctions 10 and 11 northbound, from 7am to 7pm.

The HA says the move follows a "successful" 18-month trial during which HGV journey times "remained unchanged in the morning peak and improved at other times". Each day an average of 29,000 vehicles use this section of the motorway, a quarter of which are HGVs.

RHA head of communications Kate Gibbs says: "This may be the thin end of the wedge, as it could result in the situation being extended to other sections of this motorway.

"We are also worried it will encourage the government to impose more overtaking restrictions for trucks on other roads," she adds. In October 2008, a truck overtaking ban became permanent on two sections of the A14 in Northamptonshire.  Andrew Palmer, group MD of Suttons Group, based in Widnes, Cheshire, expresses sympathy for motorists wanting quicker journey times, but believes drivers from his  company will find the overtaking restrictions "frustrating".

Kevin Buchanan, MD at Birmingham-based pallet network Palletline, adds: "It would be nice to think there was some kind of joined-up thinking from government on this issue, but my main concern is that they have not thought this through properly."