A HIGHWAYS authority has launched a campaign to educate HGV drivers about how to drive up England’s steepest A-road following it being blocked by stricken lorries more than 100 times over the past year.

North Yorkshire County Council roads bosses said it had become apparent some drivers did not how to negotiate the A170 at Sutton Bank, near Thirsk, which features three one-in-four gradient sections and a hairpin bend.

The move comes two days after a HGV left the Thirsk to Scarborough road, an arterial route for the region, blocked for several hours, creating lengthy tailbacks.

Further congestion is caused when lorry drivers realise they will not make it to the 298-metre high summit are reverse for 1.8 miles before being able to turn off the road.

Residents in Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe told of their dismay in August after their appeal to the council to ban unsuitable vehicles, such as some lorries, from that stretch of the A170 was rejected, but vowed to continue battling for improvements, such as a turning circle.

The council said it had introduced measures to reduce the frequency of blockages through a proactive maintenance regime and signage.

In addition, a weather station and camera have been installed to provide remote monitoring to ensure the bank remains passable to vehicles and to ensure a quick and effective response to any incidents.

The authority said in an attempt to address concerns of residents, who regularly have traffic queues outside their homes as a result of the Sutton Bank blockages, it had worked with a local haulier to revise and redistribute advisory information for HGV drivers.

The council said its publication would offers motorists advice on how to drive up the bank, describes the conditions which will be encountered, and highlights alternative routes and what to do and not to do if they do become stuck.

The council is set to distribute the information through driver recruitment agencies, haulage firms and truck stops.

A council spokesman while the publication had been produced with HGV drivers in mind, it contained guidance that was valuable to any driver.

County Councillor Gareth Dadd, the member for Thirsk, said: “The A170 up Sutton Bank is a vital route for locals and local businesses, as well as for visitors.

“Anything we can do to minimise disruptions to traffic on the bank is to be welcomed, so I’m happy to support this work to provide information to drivers of heavy goods vehicles about how to negotiate the gradient.”