Truckers have returned to Flatts Village after a year-and-a-half ban.

Heavy trucks are now allowed to travel through the village at certain times of the day the vehicles will continue to be banned from travelling in the area during rush-hour periods.

President of the Bermuda General Trucker Association Richard Foggo said: "We had the idea approved by [Works and Engineering] Minister [Derrick Burgess], and last Friday he passed it along to Works and Engineering."

The move came into effect on Tuesday.

The ban was originally put in place in January of last year after repeated noise complaints from area residents.

Store Hill residents then became upset truckers began using that road as an alternate route.

Mr. Foggo wrote a letter to Mr. Burgess earlier this summer: "The road is too narrow and they're breaking it up. The walls and the roads have been damaged because of excessive loads carried upon it."

In his letter, Mr. Foggo praised the Ministry for meeting with the truckers and hearing their complaints.

"We would like to thank Minister Burgess and [Permanent] Secretary [Robert] Horton for their response and their actions taken in regard to this request, which will allow us to utilise the roads in the Flatts Village area.

"This will allow us to serve the Bermuda public more efficiently."

A spokesperson for Works and Engineering would not comment on the story, but said the Ministry would likely make an announcement soon.

According to Mr. Foggo, under the new rules trucks wider than 6ft 4in are able to drive on North Shore Road between Store Hill and Palmetto Gardens except during the hours of 7.30 a.m. and 9.30 a.m. and 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

He continued: "We've been involved in personal talks with the Minister since July, and this just goes to show we are making headway.

"Everyone's working together on this."

Area MP Patrice Minors praised the decision yesterday, saying: "The residents are pleased with the Minister's decision to reverse the policy, as are the truckers, and I am sure both groups will now experience a return to normalcy on the matter.

"It is also my hope that those businesses and residents in Flatts Village will not be too inconvenienced by the return of heavy traffic, as I am hopeful the newly installed rumble strips and signage will encourage reduced speed by all motorists."

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