By-pass fails to halt village HGV misery
A RURAL village has become blighted by HGVs passing through and is becoming ‘an extension’ of a new bypass.
North Rode Parish Council says its area has always had a large volume of lorries using its unsuitably narrow roads but the problem has escalated since the opening of the Congleton bypass.
As a result the village can become gridlocked, the carriageway surface is being damaged and walls - sometimes belonging to residents - are being damaged.
The parish council met with Cheshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer and borough councillors to discuss the problem - and then
struggled to leave the meeting as a vehicle had overturned.
Huw Williams, from North Rode Parish Council, said: “We have been blighted by HGV’s passing though the village for a number of years, and only recently has Cheshire East replaced the faded weight restriction signs.
“However HGV’s continue to pass through the village and since the opening of Congleton Link road in 2021, the number of trucks and all other vehicles has increased considerably.
“North Rode has effectively become an extension of the Congleton bypass for all traffic heading towards and from the A54 Buxton Road.
“Sat navs are now directing traffic through the village rather than on the main road though Congleton. Consequently there are moments of absolute gridlock, when HGVs, tractors, vans and cars all meet.”
Following the meeting, police will be enforcing weight restrictions and contacting haulage firms asking them not to use North Rode as a cut through.
Cheshire East Council says it will look at ways to improve signage on the Congleton bypass, the A54 and Macclesfield Road asking HGV drivers not to follow sat navs and to stay on the main roads.