RESIDENTS have spoken about their misery due to HGVs rumbling past their homes in the middle of the night – causing cracked windows and falling masonry.

Richmond Town Councillors Clive World and Lorraine Hodgson called a meeting in the town hall on Wednesday (May 25) to hear from residents and business owners about their experience of increased traffic including HGVs through the town when the A1(M) is shut at night.

Highways England is currently upgrading the A1 from Leeming to Barton and regularly shuts both north and south bound carriageways overnight to allow construction workers to work safely.

The project is estimated to be completed by spring 2017 – but residents of Richmond and surrounding villages say there needs to be a better solution for heavy goods traffic.

Sandra Willoughby, who owns a guest house in Frenchgate, Richmond, said she has already lost a booking over the noise through the night caused by heavy lorries, and has stood watching them rumble past her home in tears.

“We are up at 4.45am each morning to get everything ready for our guests but we are being kept awake half the night,” she said.

“I stood and watched 16 articulated lorries come past the window at 11.30pm one night – it has caused a crack in one of our windows and we lie awake praying our guests will be able to sleep.”

Paul Goad, a Frenchgate resident, said his neighbour has had to sweep up masonry that has fallen from her home in Zetland Street, adjoining Frenchgate.

He added: “The A1 is closed most nights – this can’t go on. Traffic should be sent to the A19 rather than through towns and villages.”

A Maison Dieu resident said thousands of pounds worth of damage has been done to his driveway after a HVG had to back into it - also damaging paving on the street.

A statement from Highways England was read by Cllr World.

It said: "Overnight closures do have an impact on surrounding communities and we are trying to maximise our time during each closure."

People affected by the night-time HGV traffic are advised to keep a diary of problems and contact leader of North Yorkshire County Council Carl Les with concerns.

Cllr World and county councillor Stuart Parsons agreed to contact representatives from Highways England and Highways North Yorkshire to attend a future meeting.