Road Haulage Association Policy Director Duncan Buchanan has branded comments a Conservative Councillor from Kent made about HGV drivers as “shameful”.
Earlier this week, Tory Councillor David Brazier, who supports the strict Kent HGV parking ban, was quoted in Kent Online as saying the county was “infested” with HGVs before the ban kicked in:
It used to be the case that every lane, lay-by, nook and cranny was infested nightly with HGVs with all the deeply unpleasant consequences of their stopping overnight. This [ban] has been needed for years. It’s brought tremendous relief to many residents. To relinquish the powers at the end of six months would be an unthinkably backward step.
After becoming aware of the comments, Duncan Buchanan of the Road Haulage Association said that Brazier’s words were “shameful”, and added that the Kent councillor has an “ ignorant mindset”. Buchanan also accused Brazier of dehumanising lorry drivers.
Calling lorry drivers an „infestation” shows the ignorant mindset of the councillor. Dehumanising people so their needs can be ignored. a shameful comment. @KentHighways @Motor_Transport @CharlotteV @redditchrachel gave commitment that restrictions will be removed. @RHANews https://t.co/vtSS5BIIWJ
— Duncan Buchanan (@RHADuncanB) April 1, 2021
Continuing his disapproval of the aforementioned comments, as well as the situation in Kent, Buchanan then went on to retweet a video by a truck blogger that highlighted the quality of a French lorry park in comparison with what’s typically available in the UK.
In the caption to the video, Buchanan blasted Kent County Council for refusing lorry park planning applications and demonising truckers.
Meanwhile, in Kent we have hostility from authorities who refuse planning applications for lorry parking & seek to demonise lorry drivers doing their job. @redditchrachel @Kent_Online @JodySnrSktr @RHANews @rbtsteve @FairFuelUK @Helen_Whately @CharlotteV @grantshapps https://t.co/kiyZWkXeMI
— Duncan Buchanan (@RHADuncanB) March 30, 2021
Retired lorry driver Sebastian Barrow, who is leading the campaign to have Kent’s HGV parking ban scrapped, told Trans.INFO last month that both the RHA and Logistics UK have been “banging the drum for the cause.”
In an open letter addressed to the Minister for Transport and the Chairman of Kent County Council, Barrow also condemned the comments from Councillor Brazier:
This shows the true feelings of KCC to the haulage industry! And if it had been needed for years then why has absolutely nothing been done to improve the situation? Again, all talk and no action. And how many residents have had this tremendous relief? Again and again, it is all bluster with nothing to back up the quote.
Back in February, the RHA did manage to get some laybys reopened on A299 Thanet Way. However, despite much campaigning, little has progressed then. In fact, it now appears that the HGV parking ban in Kent may even become permanent.
Photo credit: Richard Hoare / Geograph UK