Town demands action on 'hundreds' of lorries

Residents of a small town plagued by "hundreds" of lorries say they want restrictions on the number of large vehicles passing through.

It is hoped a new plan to introduce clearer routes for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) through Wiltshire will help towns like Cricklade tackle the issue.

Cricklade resident Anna Lloyd said people who live on Calcutt Street in the town centre struggle with "hundreds" of HGVs and that the large vehicles "steal light" from houses.

John Chenoweth, a haulage firm manager based in Wiltshire, said drivers never want to make life difficult for people in rural communities and were "trying to do a job".

In Wiltshire, freight vehicles supply local shops and shops and serve important roles in key sectors such as manufacturing, retail and defence.

However, lorries and HGVs can also have a significant impact on communities, particularly in rural areas and small towns and villages, such as Bradford on Avon which has narrow pinch points.

Mark Clarke, chairman of Cricklade Town Council, said he wants "action" from Wiltshire Council, who have launched a consultation on a new freight action plan which will determine how the movement of HGVs should be managed across the county.

"We would hope the end result would be some restriction on the number of HGVs coming through the town," Clarke said.

Lloyd added: "They [HGVs] shouldn't be routed through small towns which just don't have the infrastructure for the weight of these lorries."

But Chenoweth said: "We're not there to annoy people, we're trying to do a job and deliver goods for people.

"People do have to accept that without us they won't get a lot."

Chenoweth added that he tells his drivers to be "courteous" and "as polite as they can".

Under the action plan, the council hopes to introduce clearer local access routes for towns, to help guide HGV drivers along preferred roads.

Ian Thorn, leader of Wiltshire Council, said: "Freight traffic is an essential part of our economy and is vital for moving the goods and services we all rely on.

"However, we also know that freight traffic can have a significant impact on our towns and villages, which is why we have launched this new freight action plan – to help reduce those impacts and ensure HGVs use the most appropriate routes."

Thorn also urged people to "have their say" through a consultation on the plans, which will run until 23 September.

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