On the road to the truth

Jul 18 2006 By Helen Logan Evening Gazette

The news that a study is to be carried out to assess the impact that blocks on business developments are having on the North-East economy should be widely welcomed.

Regional development agency One NorthEast is to appoint consultants to carry out interviews in the region to "gauge perceptions and understanding" of the impact of Article 14s imposed by the Highways Agency.

The notices have been used to halt job-creating plans over fears they would add traffic to the A1 and A19.

One says it shares the "regional concern" over the issue, but wants evidence so it can form a "strategic response".

The North East Chamber of Commerce, together with the Evening Gazette and its sister paper The Journal, has led the Go For Jobs campaign against the heavy-handed use of Article 14s.

The study will gather information about the effect, categorise those developments that have been refused, those developments that have been delayed and how Article 14s have even put off developers submitting planning applications.

Business leaders fear the use of Article 14s has put more than 10,000 jobs and £1bn investment in the region at risk.

Let's hope that developers do not shy away from outlining how the Agency's policy has impacted on plans they may have had for major job-generating schemes in the region.

As NECC policy director Andrew Sugden said: "It's welcome that the RDA is looking into the economic impacts of development control.

"I'm sure they'll find that, although developers will be reluctant to talk about individual schemes, this has had a pernicious effect on the region."

Only by full and frank disclosures by everyone concerned can an accurate picture of the situation be gleaned.

But it has to be said, use of Article 14s has been relaxed since Go For Jobs began.

And perhaps a different picture will emerge today than what was happening before November when the Go For Jobs campaign was launched.

Roads Minister Stephen Ladyman promised last month Article 14s should be used "sparingly" in future, and told businesses it was time to draw a line under two years of problems.