Transport chiefs have declared war on truckers in an astonishing jam-busting bid to unblock the county's roads.

Stuck in a jam or slow-moving traffic? Blame HGVs, says Essex County Council, which has unveiled radical plans to combat congestion. 33388-2

Bosses at Essex County Council blame HGVs for helping to clog up traffic and damaging the road network.Now they have unveiled radical plans that could ban lorries from roads during rush hour.

A report reveals Essex is considering "timing restrictions to relieve the pressure on the network during the peak times".

"Tackling congestion and getting Essex moving is our top priority doing nothing is not an option," said county traffic supremo Rodney Bass.

But the trucking industry last night dismissed the move as "pure fairytale stuff".

Road Haulage Association (RHA) spokesman Rod Devenish said: "If vehicles are restricted, you would have empty shelves in the shops, you wouldn't have fuel in the service stations, and the price of goods would rise.

"It's totally impractical."

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Published Friday, February 11, 2005

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