Local councils in Shropshire have called for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) to be diverted from three town and village centres in their area due to concerns over congestion and damage to property and pavements.
Representatives for the small communities of Broseley, Barrow and Much Wenlock intend to draw up an action plan to be sent to the highways authority Shropshire Council.
David Turner, Shropshire councillor for Much Wenlock, said the roads in these areas were not designed for HGVs, and as a result windows had been smashed and kerbs damaged. He called for drivers to use alternative routes and stick to main roads.
‘We need to sort out where we would be happy for lorries to travel, trying to keep them on the main roads where possible,’ he told the Shropshire Star.
‘We don’t want to take lorries off the main roads completely but they can cause congestion, damage kerbs and cause damage to other vehicles and property.’
Claire Wild, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, told Transport Network: ‘Shropshire Council are aware of the issues within these communities, and officers have recommended that the Much Wenlock Town Council, Broseley Town Council and Barrow Parish Council collectively bring their issues forward to us. This can then be considered for future funding to review both the existing mandatory and advisory restrictions that are in place with a view to a more strategic approach.
‘As a highways authority, we are able to introduce legal Traffic Regulation Orders relating to weight restrictions, after undergoing the statutory consultation process. It must be borne in mind however, that if a mandatory environmental weight limit is placed on a road, this also allows an exemption for access, so a degree of heavy goods traffic will continue to be experienced.
‘We look forward to formally receiving these collective concerns and working with the three councils on this matter.’
