Danger fear residents seeking ban on HGVs (From The Northern Echo)

Danger fear Darlington residents seeking ban on HGVs

5:00am Friday 29th May 2009 in Search By David Roberts, Chief Reporter (Darlington)

TRUCKS should be banned from travelling along a busy road in Darlington, residents have said.

A petition is being organised seeking an order which will prevent HGVs using Burtree Lane in Harrowgate Hill.

However, Darlington Borough Council has said it is has done a survey of traffic using the road and it is unlikely a restriction will be put in place.

Residents believe the trucks are using the lane, where it runs between Harrowgate Hill and the junction with Whessoe Road, as a “rat run” between the A66 and the A1.

Local ward Conservative councillor Gill Cartwright is hoping to get a Traffic Regulation Order imposed, which will prevent trucks from using that section of lane unless they are making deliveries.

Coun Cartwright said: “I can see Burtree Lane from the window of my house, and in just 20 minutes I saw 12 trucks go past. I don’t want to name any particular companies, but there are 12 or 15 which regularly use it.

“They are big wagons. They take a long time to stop.”

The residents’ petition will be presented to the council.

Coun Cartwright said there would be a statutory consultation period before any decision would be made on whether to implement any order restricting the number of HGVs.

A council spokeswoman said: “We are aware of the residents’ concerns about the number of HGVs using Burtree Lane, and as a result did a traffic survey there.

“We found the number of HGVs using that road was not excessive – just 1.8 per cent of the 24,251 vehicles using the lane over a seven-day period were HGVs.

“As a result, it is not likely that the council could restrict the type of vehicles allowed to use the road.”