HC Deb 10 March 1983 vol 38 c472W
Mr. McCrindle

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what are his criteria for banning heavy vehicles from trunk roads;

(2) what is his policy towards the imposition of weight restrictions on trunk roads where a motorway exists as an alternative route.

Mr. Eyre

My right hon. Friend is strongly in favour of sensible lorry controls where they are needed to ensure that heavy lorries follow the most suitable route available. But in normal circumstances the trunk road is in fact the most suitable route for heavy through traffic. Where a trunk road had been largely superseded by a motorway we would normally seek to de-trunk it, and it would then be for the local highway authority concerned to impose any restrictions that might be required in the light of local circumstances.