In November 2013 The Mover wrote to Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, to express its views on behalf of the moving industry with respect to the proposed HGV driving ban in central London.

It has now received a reply from the Mayor’s office confirming that the views will be taken into account during the forthcoming discussions.

The proposal is to ban HGVs from the centre of the city during peak hours to help prevent accidents involving cyclists.  The letter from Steve Jordan, Editor of The Mover said, “I believe that, although the transport industry in general might welcome such a ban, allowing them to make deliveries at off-peak times, the moving industry is very different and any such ban would be completely unworkable.”  

The letter continued: “Clearly private individuals moving home want to do so during normal working hours. Members of our industry do not have the option to switch timings in the same way as the haulage industry does. It is also impractical for a moving crew to stop work to leave a central area before a ban comes into effect leaving a household move incomplete.  Moving vehicles also spend most of their time stationary outside a house so pose little danger to other road users.”

If you have strong opinions on this proposal please send them to the editor, Steve Jordan at editor@themover.co.uk, for onward direction to the relevant government department.