DURHAM’S Police and Crime Commissioner has pledged to help a village solve the “horrendous” problem of HGVs using its through road as an overnight shortcut.
Since the night-time roadwork closures of the A1 started towards the end of last year, many lorries began using the A167 as a diversion route, taking them through Hurworth and Croft villages, among others.
The official diversion route posted by the Highways Agency sends vehicles onto the A66 or A68 to join the A688 which runs parallel to the A1, before re-joining the motorway after the roadworks at Scotch Corner.
However, many lorry drivers and other motorists are ignoring the official diversion routes and are using the rural A167 as a shorter alternative.
Hurworth residents complained to their councillors about the issue and Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Hogg told Thursday’s (January 28) full council meeting that he would do his best to stamp out the practice.
Mr Hogg, who spent time with affected homeowners to experience the problem for himself, said: “It is absolutely horrendous, we counted hundreds and hundreds of vehicles within feet of people’s front windows; buildings shook and people are moving their bedrooms from the front of the house to the back.
“It really is dreadful.”
Mr Hogg said he would write to as many of the companies operating the lorries as he could – adding that some of the businesses were Darlington-based.
He said: “I would ask some (company) directors to come out with me at 11 or twelve o clock at night to see what is happening.
“I will also ask someone from highways to see what is happening because it is horrendous, it is unacceptable and I will keep working on that.”
Mr Hogg’s pledge came in response to comments from Hurworth ward councillor Joe Kelley who said that the high number of noisy lorries using the road overnight was “affecting the health and wellbeing” of villagers living along the A167.
Hurworth Parish Council vice chair Margaret Williams told The Northern Echo that residents had complained of the problem before Christmas but she was uncertain of what action could be taken to stop the lorries from using the road.
The A1 roadworks are part of a £380m improvement scheme from Leeming to Barton and will continue until June 2017.
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