‘Drivers disregard signs and say to hell with circumstances’
Tractors with 30-ton loads ignoring weight limit
PARISH councillors are calling for action to protect bridges on a narrow village road from being damaged by commerical vehicles.
It comes after more damage was caused to one of the bridges, which are located in Basford Bridge Lane, Cheddleton between the railway station and The Boat Inn public house.
Councillor Mike Bowen – who is a district and parish councillor for Cheddleton and also the portfolio holder for communities at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council – said that more measures were urgently needed at the location or taxpayers will keep being faced with large repairs bills.
He said: “Cheddleton Parish Council has approached Staffordshire County Council highways many times over the past number of years pointing out the certain prospect of this very situation occurring.
“Having had to repair the neighbouring bridge over the River Churnet a couple of years ago, they reluctantly agreed to install signage on the ends of Basford Bridge Lane.
“These signs have proved to be almost completely ineffectual because, either drivers don’t see them, don’t seem to have the capacity to understand them, don’t think they apply to them, or worst of all, disregard them and to hell with the circumstances. This is why we are in the present predicament.
“The parish council believes that the only way to counteract this is by installing very substantial, robust physical constrictions in front of the entrances to both bridges which would allow access for ordinary private vehicles, but prevent the very large commercial/agricultural vehicles passing over. Without such measures, the residents of the Moorlands will be faced with regularly paying large amounts of their council tax on expensive repairs.”
In a report to the county council highways Cheddleton Parish Council, said: “It appears that several tractors with silage/soil have been going over the canal bridge.
“The Canal and River Trust inspected the bridge about three weeks ago and their inspector stopped some tractors using it. There is a 7.5 ton restriction, but their loads might have been 30 tons.
“Now following the latest incident we have been told that the arch structure of the heritage bridge is damaged and that a road closure is required.
“This area is part of the village heritage and urgent action is now required.”
Helen Fisher, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “We are aware of this issue and continue to work with the parish council, but I would reiterate the need for people to obey road signs regarding weight restrictions and use common sense.
“If anyone witnesses a vehicle breaking the law we would urge them to contact the police.”