BLACKHEATH Hill residents have vowed to fight proposals to scrap a night-time and weekend lorry ban once congestion charging kicks in.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone could change the ban to improve traffic flows following pressure from the Freight Transport Association.

But residents living in Blackheath Hill, which reopened last month following eight months of repair works after a massive crater appeared, fear noise pollution and another road collapse.

Alan Jones, of Blackheath Hill Residents' Group, which is campaigning for a 17-tonne weight restriction and a public inquiry into the crater, says lorries cannot be allowed to dodge the congestion charge at the expense of residents.

He said: "Night-time is the only respite we get from the thumping of lorries and, even then, the ban is not enforced.

"Residents can't be assaulted day and night by traffic. People have a right to a decent night's sleep."

He added: "It's only a matter of time before the road collapses again with the volume and weight of traffic."

Mr Livingstone says the ban was introduced 20 years ago when lorries were much louder than they are today.

He added that the issue was "up for discussion and debate". Meanwhile, Greenwich Council began digging exploratory boreholes last week on the footpath outside Cade Tyler as an extension of similar work done by Transport for London (TfL) on the actual road.

A council spokesman said: "The work will last around 10 days and will show whether the ground needs to be stabilised."

Cade Tyler residents are fuming. Leaseholder Judith Jones, 60, who is already seeking compensation from TfL due to damage to her flat and psychological distress, quit her job as a delicatessen manager three months ago after becoming depressed.

She said: "Bringing all the machinery back gives me nightmares."

TfL has completed its own grouting works and expects to complete restoration works on footways, bus stops and adjoining boundary walls within six weeks.

January 28, 2003 11:00