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Take heed of storm warnings, says FA
Page 9
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TRUCK DRIVERS need to take more notice of extreme weather warnings issued by the Highways Agency and the Met Office, according to the Freight Transport Association's chief executive.
Richard Turner's warning follows recent cases of high-sided vehicles being blown over, including a fatal accident on the Foyle Bridge in Londonderry (CM 20 January).
Turner admits that traffic information has often been unreliable and drivers could be forgiven for distrusting warnings of hazards or congestion. But information promises to be much more reliable in the future.
"As operators we should be more responsible about where we go when there are these high winds," he adds. -Warnings must be taken seriously."
The FTA is also calling for investment in wind protection on bridges;this has already been done on the Second Severn Crossing:"It is very significant that where bridges have been fitted with windshields closures never happen. The relatively low level of investment required would make a very worthwhile contribution to safety and the economy."
But responding to calls to fit the Dartford crossing bridge with wind dellectors, a Highways Agency spokeswoman says: "It's like attaching a sail to the bridge. Dartford has windshields at four locations. If {engineers] put further windshields on it, they would have to do extra work on the foundation. This would cost an extra £10m.