Shropshire Star

Lorries ‘ignoring’ diversion signs at major roadworks near Oswestry

Lorry drivers are ignoring signs banning them from using a country lane near Oswestry as a diversion during major roadworks on a busy trunk road.

Published

Residents of Weston say the amount of heavy traffic that is using Weston Lane while the A483 Maesbury Road junction is being improved is an accident waiting to happen.

They say they have been near misses with lorries and pedestrians and cyclists and say some people have had walls damaged.

When the work began to install traffic lights on the A483 just yards from Weston Lane earlier this year signs were put up saying no access to lorries except those accessing housing and properties there.

Instead HGV drivers face a long diversion.

After the signs were ignored they were replaced by red, mandatory signs.

But those living in the dozen or so houses in the hamlet say many lorry drivers are taking no notice. Weston Lane connects the village of Morda to Oswestry's industrial estate and the bypass.

Mrs Joan Collins said: "The improvements to the Maesbury Road junction will save lives and we are pleased the work is underway.

"The council and the contractors have done all they can to make it clear that lorries should not come down Weston Lane but is seems many drivers can't read. They are totally ignoring the signs and driving along a road that is just not suitable for them. It is difficult enough at some points on the lane for two cars to pass. With a lorry its impossible.

"The situation is an accident waiting to happen and we are worried someone is going to get hurt. People who have dogs are to scared to walk them on the lane and if I want to post a letter I now take my car out and drive to the post box in Morda whereas it would normally be a stroll."

She said several walls to people's gardens had been damaged.

"We live on a corner and, even those we have installed a mirror, getting the car onto the lane with so much traffic using it is a nightmare."

Alison Parr from the Stonehouse Brewery on Weston Lane, said they had noticed a big increase in traffic using the country road.

"We live here as well as having our business here and we are concerned about particularly the large lorries that are using Weston Lane. It is particularly dangerous at the railway bridge," she said.

Work to put in traffic lights and feeder lanes at the Maesbury Road junction is expected to take a few more weeks, after which work will begin to improve the Mile End Roundabout a few hundred yards away followed by the Whittington Roundabout further north on the Oswestry bypass.