Our homes are being damaged by HGVs driving down roads
Lorries continue to cause misery despite cameras
RUISLIP Manor residents are fed up of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) using residential roads as a cut-through, as they are damaging homes and even stopping one homeowner sleeping.
More than 130 people signed a petition requesting measures to prevent commercial vehicles from using Sidmouth Drive Ruislip Manor.
Hillingdon Council installed CCTV cameras last September, to catch the HGVs after they were asked by residents to tackle the abuse of the 7.5-tonne maximum weight limit restrictions on the road.
But one resident, who did not want to be named, says the cameras are not enough to stop the disruption.
They said: “I can categorically tell you that in nothing’s changed since the cameras have been put in. They might have been fined but we’re still having the same problems.
“I can’t sleep and the HGVs come any time of the day and night.
“I just find it remarkable that you come into the borough, you buy a home, you put money into the borough, you want to feel part of it, but you can’t because the council aren’t taking it seriously.”
The Sidmouth Drive resident has met MP Boris Johnson over the issue, and has written to him, as have six neighbours, urging him to tackle the issue.
They told him in the letters: “The problem here is that our houses are actually being damaged.
“Some people have just had to touch them up but another lady has had to re-plaster her walls.
“Once you go over these things (the speed tables) they create vibrations and you feel them so if you’re in bed, you’ll wake up because of the noise. It’s incredible.
“Sat navs are a problem as they’re directing people up Sidmouth Road as there’s no preventative measures.
“There’s going to be a massive regeneration of the area. How are we going to cope? It’ll be a nightmare.”
The petition asks the council to install bollards at either end of the road and to remove speed tables outside residential homes.
It states: “These are so low that they are of no use in slowing down vehicles, but cause excessive amounts of noise when larger vehicles and collection vans with cages drive over them, thus significantly disturbing residents.”
Graham Bartram, chairman of Ruislip Residents’ Association, is supporting the residents, and is concerned about safety, noise and the structural damage caused.
He said: “The road is being used as a cut through and the weight limit doesn’t seem to be stopping it.
“The council have put in a CCTV system but either the lorries are accepting the fines and doing it anyway, but they still seem to be going through.
“The 7.5 tonne limit sign doesn’t start until you’re 40 yards into the road, so instead of having a big sign at the entrance, you’re already on the road by the time you see the limit. I think the sign needs to be moved.
“Another option is to put in a width restriction so they won’t be able to get through. It won’t stop cars using the cut through but it’ll help the noise of larger vehicles.”
The council have refused to consider any additional measures, as they feel the CCTV on Sidmouth Drive is adequate.
The disappointed lead petitioner said: “I was told that there has been a 44% reduction in the transit of vehicles and that this will improve as time goes on.
“We gave it a good go and I’ll need to talk to residents and see what we can do next.”