Photograph by Gordon Kirkman taken in October 2009. One of a number of photographs supplied to the Parish Council.
Click here to read a letter from The Hardstaff Group in response to this article.
This is a matter that is regularly raised at meetings and at the Saturday Parish Council Surgery with residents becoming increasingly frustrated at the apparent lack of progress.
In the past, studies have been undertaken and discussions have taken place with County Council representatives and elected members including the handing over of a 2,136 name petition in the summer of 2008. Flawforth Lane has a 7.5 tonne weight restriction but despite raising concerns with those responsible for enforcement, we still have problems.
It is a fact that some large vehicles do have a legitimate reason for passing through the centre of the village and may even be visiting business premises at either end of our village, either collecting or delivering. In addition to HGV’s there is a bus service every 6 minutes on weekdays passing along the High Street. As in any village, parking in the central area is at a premium and those with disabled badges are quite correctly able to park on yellow line sections of the road. It does therefore only need one large vehicle plus a bus for congestion to happen.
You may have read or heard earlier this year, about action proposed by the County Council to deal with “Rat Runs”. Sadly this does not apply to the B680 which runs right through the village. Why? Because authority for this road in so far as restrictions are concerned, lies with national authorities.
In the past we have contacted the owners of vehicles that residents thought were using the village as a shortcut and this has had some effect but from the other side, it has to be remembered that diesel fuel is expensive and if a haulier can reduce consumption legally, whether we like it or not, he will do so.
The Parish Council will continue to lobby for action and any comments that can possibly be taken forward would be appreciated.
Article by Parish Councillor Allen Wood