'Signs are not enough': Shropshire hamlet's HGV problem damaging homes and hedgerows

Walls, hedgerows and buildings have been affected by HGVs travelling around the hamlet of Pave Lane, south of Newport.

The issue has been occurring for more than 18 months and various structures have been damaged over the period, according to Church Aston & Lilleshall borough councillor, Andrew Eade.

The problem centres around Pitchcroft Lane, near to Norwood House Hotel, where large vehicles struggle to navigate a sharp bend over a historic canal bridge.

Vans and lorries have been seen by residents on numerous occasions reversing back down the lane as a result, often damaging nearby infrastructure and causing the bridge to need repairs.

Councillor Eade said: “The continual problem of large vans and even articulated vehicles trying to traverse Pitchcroft Lane from its junction with Pave Lane, near Newport, only to meet a tight narrow right angle bend in the road over an ancient canal bridge, is like trying to get a quart into a pint bottle.

“Despite being built to accommodate a horse and cart, the resulting journey for modern heavy vehicles only results in one outcome and that is reversing for half a mile damaging the canal bridge, along with local properties, and taking out hedgerows in the process.”

Following previous concerns, Telford & Wrekin Council put signs along the route informing drivers it is “unsuitable” for large vehicles, but Councillor Eade said more should be done to prevent them from using the lanes.

Solution

Councillor Eade said: “New signage, erected earlier this year, merely states the route to be unsuitable for commercial vehicles rather than clearly stating that the route is not only in fact impassable, it is impossible.”

Motorists using sat-navs often meet HGVs and add to the congestion along the route.

“However, wording itself is not the full answer as a number of drivers, who rely on sat-navs, have also added to residents’ misery,” added Councillor Eade.

“I will be looking to meet with Telford & Wrekin highways officers yet again to secure a permanent and lasting solution which will solve this issue once and for all.”

Councillor Eade has met on site with highways officials and said he hopes the issue will soon be resolved.

“It seems to be a continuing problem that we’ve had to live with for well over 18 months now,” he said.

“These vehicles are doing a tremendous amount of damage and they then have to try and access the busy A41 Newport road at a dangerous junction, so it’s a double whammy.

“There could be an issue around home deliveries if commercial vehicles were to be barred as they do need to service the homeowners there, but this is an issue that needs to be sorted.”