Plea to relax HGV driver hours during Forth Road Bridge closure
A NORTH MSP has asked the Scottish Government to consider relaxing HGV driver hours during the Forth Road Bridge closure.
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP and road safety campaigner David Stewart would like to see the speeds increased from 40 to 50 mph following the problems on the bridge.
He claimed the measure would help the economy and hauliers to offset the extra £600,000 daily cost to the industry as a result of the bridge diversions.
“If this measure is adopted it would reduce the delays caused overall and also the issue affecting HGV drivers running out of driving time would surely be addressed in some way. While I was disappointed that the transport minister refused to look at HGV speed limits, he said he would look positively at relaxing HGV drivers’ hours over the period of the Forth Road Bridge closure.
“Obviously from a road safety point of view, HGV drivers themselves have to make sure they are fit and able to drive and if they are tired or fatigued, they should stop and rest,” added Mr Stewart.
