Calls for London-style 'low traffic zones' to cut down on lorry traffic in Swaffham

The former mayor of the market town has raised the idea - as a way to boost safety

Author: Owen Sennitt, Local Democracy Reporting ServicePublished 20th Sep 2023

A councillor has called for low-traffic areas to be introduced to stop “enormous lorries” barrelling through a market town.

Jill Skinner has urged leaders to act and force HGVs out of Swaffham to tackle air pollution and to prevent buildings from being damaged.

She fears the issue will only get worse amid major housing developments in the region.

But critics have dismissed the former mayor’s proposal for London-style low-traffic zones, who worry it could lead to a loss of passing trade for the town’s businesses.

It comes amid growing debate over road users in the country as local councils attempt to tackle traffic and pollution.

Ms Skinner, who is part of a transport working group, said: “It is horrendous and there currently seems to be no thought for what happens next.

“Swaffham has a busy A-road going straight through the middle which brings masses of enormous lorries coming through.

“They throttle down the road and it is only going to get worse with all the developments nearby.

“They should be banned from going through Swaffham unless for deliveries.”

She has called for a bypass to be created to take them out of town, although admits it is unlikely this would be created.

Mayor and town councillor Stewart Bell believes putting restrictions on which vehicles could travel through Swaffham would be the “death knell” for businesses that rely on passing trade, as it could lead to fewer people stopping and visiting Swaffham.

He instead thinks the 20mph speed limit trial, which is earmarked to go ahead in the future, will “cure lots of the traffic issues” faced by the town.

The town has historically had record levels of air pollution, which for nearly a decade exceeded EU regulations.

Ms Skinner thinks low traffic zones could help tackle the issue but Mr Bell thinks more eco-friendly cars have helped bring a reduction in pollution levels already.

The A1065, a major route from the south and into north Norfolk, passes through Swaffham, where it becomes known as Brandon Road and London Street.

In July last year, part of a house collapsed in London Street, which according to Ms Skinner could have been caused by passing lorries damaging the property.

Four months later, it was announced that Swaffham would be the first 20mph town in Norfolk as part of a trial scheme for six months, which will see a blanket restriction put in place.

If successful, it could be made a permanent feature and may pave the way for other areas to adopt it.

For Ms Skinner, it will slow traffic down but it won’t tackle the high volume of traffic which passes through and will not help tackle air pollution.

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