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Downton/Redlynch and New Forest Weight Limit Approval for this scheme, which is being undertaken joinly by Wiltshire and Hampshire County Councils), was given by both councils in January 2007. The restriction will be a permanent 7.5 tonne weight limit with an "Except for Loading" exemption covering the area shown below. The limit is aimed at stopping heavy goods vehicles from driving straight across the area but there will be an exemption to allow businesses located within the area to make deliveries and access their depots. It is planned that this scheme will be undertaken in summer 2007, while the temporary weight limit which is currently in place for the Tannery Bridge reconstruction works is in place (provide link to another page which outlines the Tannery Bridge work). It should be noted that the weight limit will lead to some reduction in the number of heavy goods vehicles in the area but there will still be a considerable number of lorries in the area. Surveys have shown that many of the existing lorry movements are actually to local businesses, these movements will be exempt from the restriction.
Signage over the route (WCC 7th May 2007) Wiltshire's and Hampshire's designs for the signs on their own roads are complete and agreement with the Highways Agency (HA) for signs on the trunk roads is expected to be completed in mid-June 2007. Discussions on getting an agreement with the HA for installation are also in progress.
Due to some of the signs being in the National Park, Hampshire County Council still has a couple of additional issues to resolve. They have to undertake an impact assessment at one or two of the sites and consider rationalising some of the signing and also an impact assessment relating to the protected species of smooth-snake which lives in the New Forest. Both of these assessments are underway and it should be clear in the next couple of weeks how much additional work will be involved.
Most of the standard procedures should be agreed over the next few weeks (ie signing, getting agreement for installing the signs with the HA). However, because of the additional issues that have been raised due to the national park status unfortunately we cannot say at the moment exactly when the signs will be installed, but we intend to have them in place before the lifting of the temporary weight limit in Downton. |
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