Weight limit trial to ease traffic burden?
Published on 24th May 2007 in News
Calls were made this week for a trial period for the proposed HGV weight limit in Howden.
At Tuesday's council meeting, Howden town councillors spoke in favour of the implementation of a 7.5-tonne weight limit in the area bordered by the A163, the B1228 Station Road, the A614 and the river Derwent.
The limit could lead to a reduction of up to 40 per cent of lorries in Flatgate, Hull Road and Station Road, but the proposals were deferred for six months in March so that more traffic counts could be carried out.
Now, a six-month-long trial period has been proposed by East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC).
Cllr Ingrid Ridley told fellow members on Tuesday: "It's only a six-month trial. To not allow that to be tried seems ridiculous to me. Unless we do something, we are always going to end up in this situation.
"Flatgate can't handle trucks going down there. Holme on Spalding Moor is far more suited to HGVs than Flatgate."
Previously Howdenshire ward councillors have expressed concern about the validity of the last traffic survey, which was carried out in 2003, and believe that a weight restriction around Howden would have a far greater effect on villages such as Bubwith, Foggathorpe, Spaldington and Holme on Spalding Moor.
Howdenshire ward councillor Doreen Engall said this week: "Why use such draconian measures as are proposed to solve the Flatgate problem?
"What about the far greater adverse effect on many, many more of our communities along the proposed diversionary route, i.e. Holme upon Spalding Moor, Harlthorpe, Foggathorpe and Bubwith? What about the greater pollution, with lorries having to add 15 miles onto their journeys and additional travel time being involved?
"Surely the (East Riding of Yorkshire) Council is not contemplating solving the Flatgate problem at our expense because they can get away with costings of a measly £17,000 and having total disregard for the safety, wellbeing and quality of life for Howdenshire residents."