I am moored next to this bridge that lies on the B1228 twixt Howden and York. Last winter a European artic driver clouted the parapet, and knocked several tons of masonry into the river. The bridge was closed for months.
The driver was never caught, though s/he must have had to explain some pretty bad damage to the trailer.
The bridge was eventually repaired this Spring, but as it is a listed structure the local councils imposed a 7.5 tonne weight limit on it. They couldn’t put in a width restriction as it is on a bus route.
This upset local hauliers, who are now supposed to go off on a six mile detour, but often, understandably, they don’t.
What puzzles me is there are still foreign long distance LGVs crossing the bridge particularly at night.
Why?
I suppose it is possible that their satnavs might be selected to ‘shortest route’, but this would be highly dodgy with LGVs. I’m certain that the B1228 can’t be on ‘fastest route’ to anywhere long distance.
When I lived in Howden the quickest way to York was over this bridge and through Elvington, as to go to Selby and up the A19 was a huge dog leg. The bridge isn’t that narrow and it is controlled by traffic lights. It was last knocked down in June 2010 but the truck should have been traced as it is also camera controlled
I’ve just checked it out on Google maps and going via Elvington to the centre of York is 3 miles further than using the A19/63.
I occasionally drive from our kid’s place in Strensall to Killingholme, but I would never dream of going via Elvington in a truck, always using the A19 /63.
That said, if calculated from Grimston Bar, the route via Elvington is 1 mile shorter than the A19, so if Stanislav has “shortest route” plugged into his prat nav, he will end up down there.
Of course, anybody who uses “shortest route” when driving a truck shouldn’t be out alone in the first place…
I live not far away and used to run from dunnington, and tbh I would,nt use this route, same sort of scenario at buttercrambe bridge, near stamford bridge seen many a artic driver try and get over it, even though the route is scattered with signs warning about the bridge and not to follow satnavs ect… the signs just get ignored, majority of the trucks I have seen on this bridge though are foriegn registered? and majority have vehicle salvage on?? (mentioning no names but locals will know where they were going) but cos they are foriegn plated, I spoke to a driver of one who spoke perfectly good english in the terms of opening times of local kebab shop so why couldnt he understand uk road signs?? blatant ignorance imo
Although it’s been a while, I used to use this road quite a bit.
Tipping at Tote in Elvington industrial estate and backloading out of Ultra in Gilberdyke the B1228 was the best route.
And to be honest I don’t remember it being that bad.
dle1uk:
I have seen on this bridge though are foriegn registered? and majority have vehicle salvage on?? (mentioning no names but locals will know where they were going) b
It may be Jim Smith at Storwood or Simpsons in Full Sutton
Chafer used to have a storage place for AmNit in Elvington and it was a good weekend job for us
As I mentioned earlier, it is understandable why local traffic, including making local deliveries, would use this road and the bridge, but I don’t believe that many waggons deliver in this area overnight.
One of these evenings, when I’ve nowt better to do, I’ll sit by the lights, take some photos, and ask the drivers where they’re going. I’m sure they’d tell me where to go…
It’s not that I mind, or even care. I’m just curious.
