Weekend lorry ban proposals win backing from Parliament

Date: 04/07/02

By Martin Banks

CONTROVERSIAL plans to ban lorries from roads throughout the EU at weekends and public holidays have been backed by MEPs.

Under the European Commission proposals, the restrictions will apply only to international freight and not heavy goods vehicles operating in a single country.

Some EU countries, such as Germany, already have restrictions on HGVs at weekends and holidays, and the aim is to harmonise the rules for each of the 15 member states.

There will, however, be exemptions for certain types of lorries, such as those transporting fresh fruit or flowers, which need to be delivered on the same day.

Facilities will be provided for vehicles to park at weekends and on holidays.

A report on the issue was approved by a large majority of MEPs at Strasbourg this week, although the proposal still has to be ratified by EU transport ministers before it can come into effect.

International haulage companies fear they will be financially hit if the ban is introduced and are expected to mount strong opposition to the proposals.

French Socialist member Gilles Savary, author of the Parliament's report on the issue, told this week's plenary that one of the aims of the proposal was to avoid traffic congestion in Europe's towns and cities, especially at holiday periods.

He said there was a need to strike a balance between environmental and social considerations and internal market regulations.

He emphasised, however, the need to ensure adequate parking spaces and proper sanitary facilities in lorry parks.

His comments were echoed by Transport Commissioner Loyola de Palacio, who told MEPs that harmonised rules were necessary, particularly in the wake of the recent lorry crashes in the Alps.

She said there was a 'fundamental' balance to be struck between the need to avoid bottlenecks on EU roads and the right of free movement of goods.

She stressed that the directive would apply only to HGVs travelling between member states.

Controversial plans to ban lorries from roads throughout the EU at weekends and public holidays have been backed by MEPs.