A report from the Kings Arms, Rotherfield:
We have a grade 2 listed pub and its constantly getting smashed into by lorries driving through the village, it costs us a fortune to repair each time as the drivers seldom stop, its tough enough for pubs without this constant nightmare
A report of problems in Waterside Road, Summerseat Bury, Lancashire:
This road is used as a cut through to the M66 J1. As it passes through the village it becomes a single track road with 5 ninety degree bends that take it over the River Irwell on a very narrow bridge. Lorries cannot get over the bridge and have to turn around causing damage to the adjacent properties. The local council are not really interested.
A report from Dorset:
Toller Porcorum, Dorset, is a tiny village in a valley where the incoming lanes are single track downhill with passing places and a small hump back bridge at the bottom. We have huge lorries coming down from the A356 to go through to Bridport using their satnavs. In the middle of the village is an ‘S’ bend railway bridge with weak sides and bollards and high kerbs to keep traffic in the middle. Once these lorries reach the bridge, they are in real trouble. One lorry actually reversed up our steep winding hill back to the main road – a distance of nearly a mile! We are apparently entitled to an ‘advisory’ sign only, saying ‘unsuitable for long vehicles’ but West Dorset District Council was unable to say how long a long vehicle is! It is also obvious that some lorry drivers themselves don’t what the limit it either. This sign has now been DEMOLISHED by a huge lorry coming into the village. Ironic or what?
A report from Swindon:
Prospect Hill, Swindon, (SN1 3JU) is a very narrow road with parking on both sides. Sat Navs recommend it as a through route. It results in lorries becoming stuck or cars damaged.
Richard Collins writes on behalf of HERA:
Ridgeway Road and Roman Road, Dorking are privately maintained roads wich have 10 road humps. The roads are maintained by the Holloway Estate Resident’s Association and are not suitable for through traffic. We want them removed from the navigation maps or marked as unsuitable. In particular delivery lorries to old people’s homes at Pickering and Harmsworth House at the junction of Coldharbour Lane and Knoll Road regularly use Ridgeway Road when they ought to use Knoll Road which is a publicly maintained highway.
A report from Braughing, East Hertfordshire:
Heavy lorries frequently take the shortest route between the B1368 and A120 through the village of Braughing in East Hertfordshire and along the country road called Stortford Lane. As well as being a danger on the narrow lanes in the village, the country road is blocked when lorries meet and the grass verges are being damaged by ad hoc ‘passing places’.
A report from Sutton Scotney, Hampshire:
Big lorries southbound leave the A303 at the Norton turn off before the main Bullington Cross junction and drive down along narrow country lanes untill they reach the bridge over the river Dever 50 yards from the A30, and there they get stuck as the bridge is narrow and at an angle. The bridge railings and concrete supports have been demolished 4 times already this year.
A report from Portesham, Dorset:
I am a member of Portesham Traffic Action Group in Dorset.
Sat nav directs lorries from as far as Bristol down the A37 and then through narrow country lanes through Grimstone to the A35. From here it will direct through Portesham to the coats road B3157 which connects Bridport and Weymouth. Portesham is a village which has become a rat run with 3000 vehicles a day.
Here’s a report from Surbiton:
Traffic wishing to visit the postcodes KT6 4EB and KT6 4ED (nos 1- 69, Surbiton Court) are directed to enter the area via a (private) road off the Portsmouth Road – at the end of which they promptly get stuck – and lost!
To access the area without problems, traffic should be directed via St Andrews Square, using the same directions as for the postcode KT6 4EA.
Here’s a new report from Thorpe, Surrey:
Lorries coming through ‘Rosemary Lane, Thorpe, Surrey’ instead of the Thorpe Bypass on route to Thorpe Industrial Estate. Rosemary Lane is width restricted at the bottom end and not shown on Sat Nav systems. It’s getting worse every year…