Laura Sharman 12 July 2018

Campaigners warn of prioritising capacity over safety on roads

Road safety campaigners have warned the Government should not put capacity over safety after figures revealed lorry traffic on motorways has increased 15% in five years.

A survey of drivers by Brake found more than three-quarters said too much freight is being transported on motorways. More than a quarter of those surveyed also thought it was likely or highly likely they would be involved in a fatal or serious crash at some point in the future.

Joshua Harris, director of campaigns for Brake, said: 'Drivers are particularly wary over the increase in freight traffic and it’s clear that trials of truck platooning will only exacerbate this concern.

'We urge the Government to prioritise safety over capacity and to ensure that any change to our road environment, such as all-lane running, is robustly tested, and the public properly informed, before the roll-out on our roads.'

Figures published last week show lorry traffic on motorways reached a new peak of 7.9 billion vehicle miles in 2017.

LocalGov Weekly Round Up image

LocalGov Weekly Round Up

A pivotal week for councils sees fresh devolution plans, new service pilots and key legal and political battles, writes LocalGov editor William Eichler.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Team Leader LGV Driver (Seasonal)

Wakefield Council
£21,448.50 - £23,652.75, Grade 6, 27.75 hours, Permanent
This is a full-time post of 37 hours per week (Tuesday to Friday - March - November) Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Planning Ecologist

Wakefield Council
Grade 6 - Grade 8, 37 hours, Permanent
Wakefield Council has an exciting opportunity for an ecologist to joint our friendly, professional Planning Policy and Environment team Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Prestige Gardener

Wakefield Council
£28,598.00 - £31,537.00, Grade 6, 37 hours, Temporary
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Prestige Gardener Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Planning Policy Lead

Ribble Valley Borough Council
PO5-8 (scp 35-38) £46,142 to £49,282 per annum
We are looking for a qualified planning professional with full RTPI membership and substantial knowledge Clitheroe, Lancashire
Recuriter: Ribble Valley Borough Council

Senior Occupational Therapist (Front Door Team)

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
£46,498 - £50,947 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Occupational Therapist to join us! Maidenhead, Berkshire
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
Linkedin Banner