Lorry Park funding: Government on the fence
Published: 14-04-2008
A report in this week's Kent on Sunday suggests that central Government may consider funding the horrendous Sellindge lorry park scheme.
Tom Harris, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, said: "In principal I don't oppose it, I don't particularly support it either. I understand why people don't want the Garden of England being spoilt by bloody great trucks."
The article recorded our response:
Dr Hilary Newport, chairman of the Kent CPRE, said it was right for the Government to “keep an eye” on the county’s traffic problems, but said the lorry park proposals would not stop Kent’s roads being a “pinch point” for freight traffic.
She said: “At one level I’m reassured we’ve got national government looking at this.
“We genuinely believe a permanent, built solution would be such a scar. Imagine how these lorry parks would look if the Tour de France comes back in 20 years.
“We’ve got to address the underlying issues. Why are we importing so much? Why are we not looking more at local foods?
“The Government is good at talking about sustainability, but not at putting meat on the bones.”
To read the full article click here.