New powers to stop the lay-by lorries

The government is poised to announce a crackdown on lorries parking in lay-bys and residential streets.

Kent County Council is expected to trial new powers to address the escalating problem of illegal lorry parking.

County transport chiefs have revealed they expect the Department for Transport to announce the introduction of new powers shortly.

It is likely to involve higher fines for offenders and greater powers to councils and police to move lorries on where they are parked unlawfully.

At the moment, fines can only be imposed on persistent offenders.

Both Ashford and Folkestone – because of their proximity to the M20 – have experienced years of problems from lorries parking in residential areas and on industrial estates.

Cllr Matthew Balfour, Conservative cabinet member for transport, said: “There is a plan to stop fly-parking and to keep large HGVs stopping at inappropriate places.

“We have been working with the government and we hope that there will be an announcement.

“The DfT has been very positive and the law is going to be made so we can better deal with fly-parking.

“There will be a test project to make sure that it works as soon as it possibly can. But if we are going to stop HGV parking we need to provide them with somewhere they can go.

“We have a list of sites we are looking at. This is not just a Kent problem. HGV drivers would prefer somewhere secure to stay.

“We are working hand-in-hand with the DfT to get it right and the transport minister is right behind us.”

The government’s official forecasts for lorry traffic predict a 22% increase in HGV movements between 2010 and 2040 across the UK road network.

Damian Green MP said: “I very much support the idea of giving councils more power to stop lorries stopping in the wrong places. It causes huge amounts of stress and inconvenience to businesses and residents.

“I have always said we need a place for the lorries to park, which is why I am so keen on the Operation Stack lorry park – which could be used at other times for normal parking.

“But we also need a power across Kent for the councils to operate otherwise they will just find the districts where they can park.”

What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, Unit 4, Park Mall shopping centre, Ashford TN24 8RY or email kentishexpress@ thekmgroup.co.uk