HEAVY commercial vehicles are having a serious impact on rural communities, warns a council transport leader.

Mark Winnington, of Staffordshire County Council, was speaking after the publication of a select committee report looking into the matter in the county.

A complex range of issues needed to be addressed by a range of organisations – both locally and nationally, said Mr Winnington.

The county council's Prosperous Staffordshire select committee held two day-long consultation sessions last autumn with a range of rural stakeholders.

    See also: Rogue lorries bring bedlam to villages

Participants included residents, local councillors, highways officers, emergency services and Highways England.

The committee's report has now been published.

Residents living in rural areas affected by Heavy Commercial Vehicle (HCV) use put forward their concerns, with other organisations suggesting practical mitigating measures.

These will now be considered by the council's cabinet and highways team.

Satellite navigation systems that route lorries through villages are seen as a particular problem in some areas.

Mr Winnington said: "This is of course a complex and difficult subject to deal with and one that can only be properly addressed at national level.

"Staffordshire's roads are part of the UK network and enable commercial traffic to move goods around which is part of ongoing business delivery."

Mr Winnington said the local authority needed to reflect on the needs of communities with those of businesses in what is a strengthening economic climate.

Thanking stakeholders who contributed to the report, he said constructive dialogue had enabled people to take the time to discuss what was a "serious community issue".

"What we need to do now is take the report away and investigate which of the recommendations we can realistically undertake."

Lobbying of government, ongoing discussions with hauliers and mitigating the effects of major business and transport developments would remain a priority, said Mr Winnington.

The select committee will discuss the report at its meeting next Tuesday, 24 May.