Hill fears in N Yorks
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by Derren Hayes • Yorkshire hauliers say their lives and livelihoods could be at risk if plans go ahead to put weight restrictions on a section of rural road, because drivers would be forced to use one of the most dangerous hills in the county.
North Yorkshire County Council wants to impose a 7.5-tonne weight limit on all roads bounded by the A19, A170, B1363 and C86, forcing drivers to take a longer, more dangerous route that includes steep downhill runs.
The proposed limit follows complaints from residents of the North Yorkshire villages of Coxwold, Ampleforth and Hunmanby about LGVs, particularly those which are carrying timber and quarry material, cutting through the villages.
The issue goes to committee in November. If restrictions are imposed, LGVs would be forced to take an alternative route via the 25% (1-in-4) Sutton Bank Hill.
"That route scares us to death", says Margaret Edmonds of the North Yorkshire Road Haulage Association. She adds: "There are notices up saying it is dangerous already—what would it be like if it's a major route for LGVs?"
The RHA believes that the restrictions would have serious implications for operators currently using the route and are calling for a series of traffic calming measures to solve the problem. "We are not talking about a two or threemile detour here," says Edmonds. "Journey times could be increased by hours coming round and not through the villages, creating problems with drivers' working hours."
Yorkshire County Council says it monitored various routes throughout the summer and is collecting information and comments from interested parties including the police, residents and the haulage associations.
Council area traffic manager John Lee admits that the Sutton Bank alternative route is "less than ideal", but suggests that it may have to be adopted anyway.