New input delays truck ban plan

Final study expected next month Alan Peat A GAUTENG truck ban - or no truck ban? The answer to that question is unlikely to be heard until the economic study by Urban Econ for Gautrans - the provincial transport authorities - on the contentious subject of the proposed truck ban on Gauteng freeways during peak hours, is finalised early this month (April). “The purpose is an economic impact assessment on keeping heavy vehicles confined to the left hand lane of freeways during peak hours, as is currently the test case, and a total ban during these periods of the day,” said Urban Econ project manager, Ben van der Merwe. The company has undertaken a number of surveys leading up to the compilation of the assessment report. This was originally planned to appear before end-March, but further input has delayed the finalisation. “We had a meeting in mid-March with the Consumer Council - representing retail outlets - and need to include their input,” Van der Merwe told FTW. But even with a short delay, this still fits with the original timing for the long-term strategy which Gautrans announced would be implemented by April. The extra input would also meet the demands of the private sector. “The main proposal was that the ban should not be imposed until all the studies were completed,” Carol O’Brien, transport policy specialist at the SA Chamber of Business (Sacob), told FTW. Two previous studies have already been done by Arup for Gautrans, and the CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) for the private sector However, the final results from Urban Econ could very well decide the question of whether to ban, or not to ban.