Residents losing sleep over diverted lorries
PEOPLE living in two East Staffordshire villages have been hit with sleepless nights because of lorries being diverted off the A38 past their homes while work is carried out.
Residents in Yoxall and Kings Bromley say HGVS have been rumbling past their houses on the A515 at night keeping them awake.
Highways England say the A38 has had to be closed for work connected to trees.
But the villagers’ MP Michael Fabricant says the frequency of the diversions had reached a “totally unacceptable” level. He said: “I can well understand this frustration. I shall be seeking answers from Highways England and a timescale as to when these diversions might end.”
The chairman of Yoxall Parish Council, Phil Hughes, said: “We acknowledge that it is most unfortunate that people are losing sleep and our sympathies lie with them.
“We publish a clear account of what is happening and we regularly update the website.
“It is a very difficult situation and we have suggested improvements such as contraflow around the A38 but it is not up to us. We do appreciate the concerns and the community ought to know that we are working with both Staffordshire County Council and Highways England.
“We have to take it one step at a time. If there was a magic wand I could wave and solve all the problems I would, but people need to know that the process takes time.” Highways England route manager David East said: “We recognise the strength of feeling from residents living near to the A515 and appreciate the impact that diverting traffic from the A38 has on local communities. “Safety is always our priority and we only close roads if absolutely necessary to protect both our workforce and people using our roads while we carry out essential work.
“A safety issue has been identified with some of the trees on this stretch of the A38 and urgent action has been taken to deal with it.
“We need to close the road to carry out this work safely without exposing road users to unacceptable levels of risk, but are doing so at night when traffic levels are much lower.”
I can understand this frustration. I shall be seeking answers from Highways England.
Michael Fabricant MP