Norwich Evening News, Monday, February 11, 2008

Fury at move to let lorries use bus and cycle lanes

A petition has been started, protesting at a county council decision to allow lorries to travel into the city along lanes usually reserved for buses and cyclists

Campaigners have launched a petition against a decision to allow a category of lorries into Norwich along bus/cycle lanes during rush hour.
Signatures are being collected to say "No to HGVs in Bus/Cycle lanes" and to pressure members of the joint highways committee into changing their minds about plans to allow 40-tonne HGVs use the bus and cycle lane in Newmarket Road. Committee members voted in favour of a six-month trial last month. The experiment, which is a tie-up between Norfolk County Council and Foulger Transport at Snetterton, is aimed at encouraging companies which would normally deliver direct into Norwich to place loads on low-emission vehicles, for delivery into the city instead. But there have been fears that cyclists could be endangered by sharing road space with lorries and anger that other road users had not been asked their views. Judith Lubbock, pictured, a member of the committee who voted against the experiment, and Simon Wright, Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesman for Norwich South, have now launched the petition.
Mrs Lubbock, said: "Apart from being very dangerous,. with HGVs allowed to travel at 40 mph in the bus/cycle lane, message about sustainable transport. The city and county should be promoting cycling, not making it more difficult and dangerous."
Matthew Williams, consultations officer for Norwich Cycling Campaign, said: "We are 100pc behind the petition and 100pc against the proposals - it's completely unnecessary, will set a dangerous precedent and even the trial period is unacceptable."
The six-month experiment, which is due to start next month, will see Foulger lorries use the lane on Newmarket Road and then follow a route through Castle Meadow and Red Lion Street during the morning and evening peak periods. The scheme is part of a Civitas project to help cities become cleaner and more sustainable. Feedback from the experiment will be monitored.
Mr Wright said: "To introduce such an experiment without first consulting with cyclists and those who live on the Newmarket Road is wrong. The idea to consult when the experiment is under way is dangerous for cyclists." The petition has been welcome by cyclists. Once signatures have been collected, it will be presents to the joint highways committee. Brian Morrey, a committee member who voted in favour of the scheme, said: "It will be less than a handful of lorries a day and the cyclists and the lorry drivers will have to have due regard for one another."
Nigel Shaw, a Norfolk county councillor who sits on the committee, said: "If we can get the transport out of the way quicker will cause less problems for everyone rather than having lorries sitting around in traffic."
To sign the petition contact (Judith Lubbock on 01603 504126.

Kate Scotter
kate.scotter@archant.co.uk