Agenda item

Tim Read (Head of Transportation) was in attendance for this item.

1.    Mr Payne (Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport) introduced the report which summarised the work undertaken to date by the Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) Informal Member Working Group and the proposal to implement a trial lorry control area in the county to eliminate or substantially to reduce, inappropriate HGV movements. Mr Payne thanked the Chairman for his initiative and sought agreement from the Committee to formalise the arrangements into a Cross-Party Member Working Group (CPMG).

2.    Mr Read informed the Committee that as part of the work officers had been engaged with the Department for Transport (DfT) with the aim of securing powers Kent County Council (KCC) would require in order to undertake enforcement directly within the trial area, rather than be reliant on the police, currently the only authority with relevant powers.

3.    The Chairman thanked Mr Read and his commendable efforts to support the HGV working group. Furthermore, he informed the Committee that a meeting had been scheduled with The Leader of the Council to discuss the need for political weight to get the transfer of powers from the government to Kent County Council (KCC). There had been discussions with Kent MPs and KCC was working with the Kent Association of Local Councils on the initiative.

4.    The officer responded to comments and questions as follows:

(a)  In response to trial locations, Mr Read informed Members that having seen the  effectiveness of the London Lorry Control Scheme (LLCS), the working group had carried out an initial design for a trial area south of Maidstone. It  had been jointly identified with the Kent Association of Local Councils. Mr Read explained that Kent’s overall network size was not dissimilar to London and therefore there would be no reason why the scheme would not be as effective if powers were granted.

(b)  With regard to funding, Mr Read informed Members that the work of the CPMWG would be funded through the existing budget for traffic management. Potentially more money might be needed and this would be taken to Cabinet following the establishment of the CPMWG and confirmation from the DfT. Mr Read told Members  the LLCS used specific (London) legislation which enabled London councils to enforce the scheme directly and also enabled Councils to set higher rates of Penalty Charge Notices. The ability to set and issue higher rate fines, allowed the LLCS to operate a self-sustaining scheme with just six enforcement officers. Mr Read advised Members that KCC could work with the police to use their resources or could employ its own enforcement officers, the outcome would be dependent on government’s agreement to devolve moving traffic offence enforcement powers to KCC.

(c)  In response to concerns regarding the practicalities of enforcement, Mr Read assured Members that there would be full consultation with district and borough councils, the Freight Transport Association and the Road Haulage Association. The scheme did not seek to restrict legitimate business, its purpose was to re-direct unauthorised HGVs to more strategic routes and away from Kent’s rural roads. The DfT had been asked to provide Minsters and 10 Downing Street with a paper on permitting local authorities relevant enforcement powers under the 2004 traffic Management Act. The response to the paper, expected in early 2020, would directly influence when and if legislation could be enacted, which required a ministerial decision. In the interim, KCC encouraged the public to report illegitimate vehicles on rural roads. In terms of foreign lorries, the LLCS employed European debt recovery agencies to ensure penalty notices were paid and that had proven successful. There was also the possibility of employing technological methods such as cameras to ensure vehicles were recognised upon their return to the UK.

(d)  Members fully supported the initiative and upon the request of the Chairman, the following Members expressed an interest in joining the Cross-Party Member Working group: Mr I Chittenden, Mr B Lewis, Mr H Rayner and Mr J Ozog. The Chairman asked that Members contact the Committee Clerk to confirm their interest in joining the working group.

5.    It was RESOLVED that the work undertaken to date by the Informal Member Working Group and the intention to formalise the arrangements into a Cross-Party Member Working Group, be noted.