§ Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether the review of the environmental provisions of the goods vehicle operator licensing system has been completed; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyYes. I have placed a copy of the report of the review in the Library.
The review considered responses from about 50 individuals and organisations representing the industry, local authorities, environmental groups and the licensing authorities. A wide range of views was expressed, ranging from those who wished the scope of the environmental provisions to be substantially increased to those who wished to see them abolished. We concluded that the provisions seem to be striking a fair balance between the interests of people affected by goods vehicle operating centres in their neighbourhood and those of the road haulage industry. No major changes are therefore suggested. We propose, when the opportunity arises, to amend the legislation in order to:
clarify the law on the extent to which the environmental effects of traffic on roads within the vicinity of a centre is relevant consideration;limit the use of operating centres by operations with centres in more than one traffic area;extend the range of activities involving authorised vehicles at an operating centre that may be subject to conditions imposed by a licensing authority;allow parish councils to make environmental representations;reduce the need for operators to advertise their applications in all cases.The Department will be consulting interested parties on specific proposals in due course.