Lorries and HGVs
Kent's roads are important to the UK's economy because Kent acts
as the front door to Europe for road freight. A huge amount of HGV
traffic passes through Kent on their way to and from the Channel
Ports and Eurotunnel. This movement of goods is vital to the UK’s
economy but continues to create a number of issues for Kent’s
residents.
The Freight Action Plan for Kent 2012 - 2016 (PDF, 1.5mb)
identifies these issues alongside the actions that Kent County
Council will pursue, with partners, to decrease the negative
impact that these vehicles can have on traffic flow, local
communities and the environment:
Examples of this work include:
- route signing to direct lorry traffic to and from commercial
premises by the most appropriate routes
- Lorry Watch pilot scheme whereby local residents are empowered
and given a route through which to inform the Police of vehicles
that they suspect of breaking weight, width or height highway
restrictions
- working in partnership with freight associations, the Police
and other bodies to promote good practice and develop innovative
ideas
Working with satellite navigation companies to improve electronic
mapping including the launch of Freight Gateway. This is Kent
County Council's online journey planner aimed at the road haulage
industry and is expected to become live in early 2013
- working with the freight industry to promote the use of HGV
specific satellite navigation devices
Weighbridges
There are a number of weighbridges in
Kent, operated by private companies.