Decision details

8.1

The Executive Director, Place submitted a report that gave an update on the review of Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) routes in Sheffield and sought approval for (a) an HGV Route Network for journeys through Sheffield and into the city, a process and criteria for assessing HGV problems and a hierarchy of measures to deal with them and (b) continuing work to develop proposals to deal with some HGV hot spots and for getting information to the Satellite Navigation companies and Freight Industry, as detailed in Appendix A.

8.2

RESOLVED: That the Committee approves:-

(a)

the HGV Route Network as shown in Appendix D1 of the report;

(b)

the process and criteria in Appendix E of the report for determining the suitability of roads for use by HGVs and the Hierarchy of Measures in Appendix F of the report for progressive action to deal with HGV problems;

(c)

the modification of the Key Diagram (Policy CS 52 Key Route Network) in the Sheffield Development Framework Core Strategy to complement the HGV Route Network;

(d)

the relaxation of the Bocking Lane ban to night time only, i.e. 7pm to 7am;

(e)

the engagement with key stakeholders to reduce quarry traffic from Derbyshire in the south west of Sheffield by agreement; and

(f)

developing proposals for further work, as detailed in Appendix A of the report.

8.3

Reasons for Decision

8.3.1

HGVs are vital for delivering goods around the city and transporting goods nationwide.  However, in some areas the journeys they make are a cause for community concern.  Encouraging HGVs to use only suitable routes will minimise the impact of HGV journeys and reduce community concerns.

8.3.2

The approval of the network, process/criteria and hierarchy of measures will allow officers to develop proposals to deal with existing HGV hot spots.

8.3.3

The approval of the relaxation of the HGV ban on Bocking Lane offers a reasonable compromise to provide some respite for residents of Bocking Lane and Abbey Lane.

8.3.4

Modifying the Key Diagram will help reduce problems in the future by promoting the HGV Route Network at the planning stage.

8.3.5

Developing proposals for further work will allow funding to be secured for a programme of work to get information out to Sat Nav companies, freight industry and business so that the process of making sure HGVs use the most suitable route can begin at the point where it is most likely to be effective.

8.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

8.4.1

A number of alternative options were considered when determining how to deal with the concerns of Abbey Lane residents including removing the ban on Bocking Lane, introducing additional road engineering measures on Abbey Lane to deal with speeding and to do nothing.

8.4.2

When determining what to do about the Mayfield Valley officers did consider introducing an HGV ban and advisory route signing but neither could be justified in terms of the numbers and frequency of incidents involving HGVs.

8.4.3

When looking at Attercliffe centre a ban was considered but this might have affected local businesses that are reliant on HGVs and therefore was not recommended.

8.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

8.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

8.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Simon Green, Executive Director, Place.

8.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Economic and Environmental Wellbeing.