LORRY PARK PROBLEMS

REVIVING THE LORRY PARK IDEA – KCC IN ACTION TO WASTE PUBLIC FUNDS

TO: editor, letters pages, Kentish Express - FROM: Steve Dawe, Press Officer, KENT GREEN PARTY

12th July 2011

Dear Editor, News that Kent County Council is to promote another attempt to create a lorry park is surprising, given public opposition. However, there are good reasons why KCC should be ultra-cautious about such an initiative. First, the Government has committed itself to a charging scheme for foreign lorries which will result in comparatively low charges, well below what is permissible in EU law. Charging the maximum amount allowed would help to reduce foreign lorries moving through Kent.

Secondly, the recent increase in UK greenhouse gas emissions by 2.8% in 2010 when compared to 2009 means the Government will have to consider new measures to reduce transport sector emissions. In particular, it will have to re-examine the idea of national congestion charge scheme to maximise the movement of freight by rail and sea. It does not do so, it will not be able to meet its own targets.

Thirdly, the Government is also considering permitting articulated trucks 2 metres longer than the current maximum of 15.65 metres. This would make for problems in what would at present quickly become an over-used lorry park. It remains to be seen how well such mammoth vehicles would get through junctions in many parts of Kent too.

Reducing long-distance freight movements by lorry would prevent spending on a lorry park. It is time KCC told the Government this.

Yours sincerely Steve Dawe PRESS OFFICER - Kent Green Party

Note: Material for this letter was obtained from from the newsletter of the European Federation for Transport and Environment, Private Eye and my thesis 'Business and Environmental Groups and the Trans-European Transport Networks.'