Local freight assessment and priority mechanism

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The Council receives many complaints from residents and Town/Parish Councils regarding the impact of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) on their local communities, with the request that solutions, typically weight limits, be developed to mitigate adverse impacts. Regrettably, the Council does not have the staff or financial resources to undertake studies and develop solutions for every local freight issue raised.  In view of this, a Freight Assessment and Priority Mechanism has been developed which allows the Council to assess the numerous requests it receives and informs the Council where to should focus its limited resources.

Use of the mechanism was approved by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Economic Development in April 2008.  

The mechanism is made up of two parts.  In the first part, the local freight issues are scored against the following characteristics:

• HGV Flow Composition (number and proportion of HGVs)
• Safety (accidents, speeds and pavement availability)
• Community Characteristics (including frontage properties and proximity to community services)
• Road Characteristics (road classification and physical nature)

This produces a priority list highlighting the locations/routes where HGV impacts are likely to be most significant. In the second part, the highest scoring freight issues are considered in the context of any wider policy, operational and/or deliverability issues that mean further investigation of the top priority issues should not be undertaken.

All of the freight management requests received by the Council are assessed on an annual basis using the Local Freight Assessment and Priority Mechanism and surveys are undertaken periodically to keep existing information up-to-date.

Any requests for freight management measures should be directed to your Town/Parish Council or Community Area Board in the first instance.

If you have any questions regarding the Local Freight Assessment and Priority Mechanism please contact Laura Gosling, Senior Transport Planner

Email laura.gosling@wiltshire.gov.uk or telephone 01225 713481.  

Last updated: 13 August 2010