Bridge work blamed for HGV ‘rat run’ through Bruton
Repair work on a bridge has led to an increase in heavy goods traffic through a Somerset town, residents claim.
Network Rail closed the A371 for five months in July in order to repair Ansford Bridge, near Castle Cary.
But people in nearby Bruton claim HGV drivers are ignoring signs and using the town to avoid an 18-mile diversion.
Pc Sara Stephenson said: “They try and force their way through and ultimately they will damage not only curbs but buildings as well.”
The bridge, about five miles (8km) up the road from Bruton, is due to be closed until mid-November for maintenance.
Anna Pittman, who lives in the town, said additional numbers of HGVs were cutting through and that action needed to be “taken against the companies”.
“Some of the roads, where they are coming in, are extremely narrow,” she said.
“You need to send out the signal it’s not acceptable - then it may stop.”
A local lorry watch scheme is already in place, with residents recording and reporting number plates of offenders. And Pc Stevenson, of Avon and Somerset Constabulary, said any drivers ignoring the town’s 7.5-tonne weight limit signs, will face being fined. “There isn’t room for these HGVs,” she said. “And I won’t think twice about slapping a ticket on those who are offending.”
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Five months for maintenance? Are they doing it by hand?
Is the weight limit a permanent one, or one of those annoying ones put up while works taks place?
Muckaway:
Five months for maintenance? Are they doing it by hand?
Is the weight limit a permanent one, or one of those annoying ones put up while works taks place?
7.5 limit been in for years, I went through there once when directed through because an accident had closed the road I needed, wouldn’t want to do it again, it was bloody tight
Whats the weight limit through Ilminster? Lorries were going through it after the bypass closed yesterday, I went down to Chard and along the A30 instead.
Milk Man:
Whats the weight limit through Ilminster? Lorries were going through it after the bypass closed yesterday, I went down to Chard and along the A30 instead.
its 7.5 tonne but they use it as diversion route when they close the A303 totally legal if directed by a diversion due to a road closure
have been known to sneak through in the summer when the A303 is bollicked with traffic, the limit area is only about 600 mtrs
Why people don’t just go into Bruton and turn left by the garage out through Wyke and back onto the A371 is beyond me, rather than going through the village, it’s yards of weight limit about a million others use it. It’s not as tight as Bruton and you’ll not end up in trouble.
As for Ilminster, I would never admit to going through the weight limit during the summer or on a Friday on a open forum and I’ve never done it. But last time I didn’t do it I passed 3 old bill cars and they did nowt.
Weight limits don’t apply at night right?
Another pointless weight limit is the one way 17/18 tonne (depending which sign you believe), round by Longleat.
Pc Stevenson sounds like she needs a good shag to be honest.
Who is she to say the roads are too narrow and too tight, does she drive an artic? Does she know what an artic can and can’t do?
Too many “you’ll never get down there” “you’ll never turn around down around there” “you won’t get under that bridge” people these days.
Having said all that it is a 7.5t weight limit, I would do the 18 mile diversion and enjoy the countryside.
Tipper Tom:
Why people don’t just go into Bruton and turn left by the garage out through Wyke and back onto the A371 is beyond me, rather than going through the village, it’s yards of weight limit about a million others use it. It’s not as tight as Bruton and you’ll not end up in trouble.
As for Ilminster, I would never admit to going through the weight limit during the summer or on a Friday on a open forum and I’ve never done it. But last time I didn’t do it I passed 3 old bill cars and they did nowt.
Weight limits don’t apply at night right?
Another pointless weight limit is the one way 17/18 tonne (depending which sign you believe), round by Longleat.
yeah the longleat one is totally pointless, 18 tonne limit one way but not the other completely mad
If you’re in a fully loaded milk tanker going up the hill to the Center Parcs roundabout you really don’t want to meet an artic breaking the weight limit coming t’other way (specially not on my first solo drive in the rain)…
Tipper Tom:
Why people don’t just go into Bruton and turn left by the garage out through Wyke and back onto the A371 is beyond me, rather than going through the village, it’s yards of weight limit about a million others use it. It’s not as tight as Bruton and you’ll not end up in trouble.
As for Ilminster, I would never admit to going through the weight limit during the summer or on a Friday on a open forum and I’ve never done it. But last time I didn’t do it I passed 3 old bill cars and they did nowt.
Weight limits don’t apply at night right?
Another pointless weight limit is the one way 17/18 tonne (depending which sign you believe), round by Longleat.
yeah the longleat one is totally pointless, 18 tonne limit one way but not the other completely mad
