Optimism that changes in North Battleford's new Traffic Bylaw would appease concerns of the trucking community seem to have disappeared.
Those involved in the trucking business locally are raising alarm bells about its impact, despite changes that saw the weight restriction raised to 47,000 kg from an initially proposed 16,400 kg off the main trucking routes.
Still, that change has not gone far enough for John Philpot, who expressed concern to the News-Optimist last week about the impact of the bylaw on truckers using routes in the south end of the city.
Philpot is now lobbying the city to address the issue and set up meetings last week at City Hall to voice the concerns truckers have.
His main concern is the Riverview area on the south end of North Battleford near Highway 16, particularly South Railway Avenue.
Trucks with weights up to 47,000 kg are allowed to operate on that route without purchasing the $6,000 heavy vehicle permit. Those over that weight still will need the permit, and that impacts super B trucks like the ones Philpot operates.
"Because I'm a Super B, we've basically been told we have to pay for the use on that road," said Philpot. "But we're not doing any more damage to that road than a tridem or a dump truck going up and down it."
The traffic bylaw and the annual fees and other restrictions imposed on trucks in that bylaw have been a source of controversy at North Battleford City Hall since last year. The idea was to bring in the changes to address road deterioration in the city due to truck traffic.
However, the initial bylaw drew immediate outrage with a number of trucking companies threatening to pull out of the city, as well as concern from the Saskatchewan Truckers Association and the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce. Those organizations expressed dismay over annual fees of $6,000 per truck for those over 16,400 kg driving off the main truck route.
In response, city council approved changes that were passed earlier this year, which set two zones - the industrial area and around Territorial Drive - where trucks could drive without a permit fee at allowable weights, as well as a third zone where the weights up to 47,000 kg could drive off the route without requiring a heavy vehicle permit.
Despite the changes, Philpot noted a number of those in the trucking business are "taking offence" at the restrictions being imposed on them in the city's south end. He said he knows of one company that has to use that road that is refusing to do any business in North Battleford, and knows of other haulers who are threatening to pull out as well.
"Truckers are on the radio, and they're talking back and forth, super B haulers in particular, because we've been singled out," said Philpot.
He said those businesses are turning around and saying "we're not doing business here anymore."
The impact is not only on local truckers, he says. Philpot noted local hotels who rely on the trucking business that comes through will be hit hard.
Philpot told the News-Optimist he set up a meeting Tuesday morning with city Director of Business Development Denis Lavertu to raise the concerns in hopes of finding a solution to the issue.
A number of other local trucking and business representatives were expected to be there as well. Philpot said he planned to put forward some proposals and expressed hope a solution might be found for the issue. One idea he said he had was for North Battleford to perhaps do a three-year study to see the impact.
The traffic bylaw took effect July 15. Signs are now up on main routes entering the city about the changes, with the City warning that vehicles over 47,000 kg leaving the heavy vehicle route require a permit, with fines for those without permits starting at $1000.
