Cycle Lanes under threat form Freight Vehicles

10.15.03am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 12th Dec 2007

Judith Lubbock

News has been announced of a freight consolidation centre near Snetterton and Eaton Ward Councillor Judith Lubbock is concerned that Freight Lorries may be allowed to use the Newmarket Road Bus/Cycle Lane.

The centre which is a joint City and County Council initiative aims to cut the amount of freight vehicles entering the city. It works by enabling city centre deliveries being made to an out of town consolidation centre where deliveries are grouped together onto 'clean' freight vehicles for onward delivery into the city. Eaton Liberal Democrat Councillor Judith Lubbock is concerned about the possibility of these 'clean' freight vehicles being allowed to use the Newmarket Road Bus & Cycles Lane.

She commented:

"I am extremely concerned that there will be a desire by both City and County councils to allow these freight vehicles to use the dedicated Bus and Cycle Lane on Newmarket Road. I am campaigning not to let this happen even on a temporary experimental basis. I am very fearful for the safety of cyclists if freight vehicles were to travel at 40 mph in these dedicated lanes. Although I welcome the idea of a Freight Consolidation Centre and the need to cut down the number of HGVs travelling into Norwich, I feel an alternative to allowing the 'clean' vehicles to use the Bus/Cycle Lane on Newmarket Road would be for the vehicles to deliver to the city centre stores before 7.30am when they will not get caught up in any congestion. I hope that my city council colleagues will support me in saying 'no' to any freight lorries using the Newmarket Bus/Cycle Lane. In the past when I have campaigned for a reduction of the 40 mph limit to 30 mph on the Newmarket Road I have not received support from Labour Councillors."

Judith Lubbock will ask the following question at next weeks Council meeting:

""Eaton Liberal Democrats are campaigning for a reduction in the speed limit on Newmarket Road from 40mph to 30mph and to prevent Freight Vehicles from using the bus/cycle lane. Would the Executive Member add his support to this campaign?"