§ Mr. DavidsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the existing powers of local authorities to ban heavy vehicles from minor roads in urban areas; and what pressure he has had for changes to the existing position. [29850]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonPowers are available to local traffic authorities under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to make or revoke traffic regulation orders preventing the use of roads by vehicular traffic of a kind or in a manner which is unsuitable having regard to the character of the road. Mandatory restrictions can cover small lengths of road or large area networks and can be based on gross vehicle weight, axle weight, length, height or width or any other readily understood characteristic of the vehicles. A local traffic authority may also include provisions for specifying through routes for heavy goods vehicles. My right hon. Friend has received no representations about changing the existing powers.