FRUSTRATED Bromyard residents are calling for greater action to prevent lorries becoming stuck in the town's narrow streets.
Despite attempts to warn HGV drivers of the unsuitability of the town's streets, with signs placed at high risk junctions within the town and a recommended route from the A44 to the industrial estate on the other side of the town clearly signposted, the issue has persisted.
This has created noise issues, traffic jams and access issues for motorists, residents and emergency service vehicles.
"Lorries are getting stuck in the town with great frequency at all hours of the day and night," said Cruxwell Street resident Lucy Aldridge.
"The roads in town weren't constructed for that kind of size of vehicle and they're just not suitable for them.
"We've seen the Old Road telephone box removed recently as it's been hit so many times.
"Our homes and historic buildings are suffering damage, and, with the one-way system in the town, it causes enormous chaos, delays and disruption when a lorry does become stuck.
"It really is a necessity for town planners to come up with a better route to the industrial estate."
Herefordshire Council, in partnership with Balfour Beatty Living Places, launched a consultation on the potential introduction of a 7.5 tonne weight restriction on New Road, Pump Street, Frog Lane, Broad Street, High Street, Cruxwell Street, Rowberry Street, Old Road, Clover Road and Winslow Road in November.
Under the plans, lorries weighing more than 7.5 tonnes and not requiring access to the local area would be directed to the other side of the town along the B4203 Sherford Street and Station Road, with the aim of reducing HGV traffic through residential and town centre streets.
However, both residents and the town council are pushing for much more robust measures to be brought in.
"Having these big articulated lorries trying to traverse the town at all is a problem. Everything that has been tried so far seems to have been no more than a temporary sticking plaster over the issue and I am concerned that introducing a weight restriction will not be enough to solve it," Mrs Aldridge said.
"There was talk of a relief road in the past, and that's what Bromyard needs."
In May last year, Bromyard and Winslow Town Council, whose members have been campaigning for a link road to alleviate the town's traffic woes for some years, said: "Representation has been made to Bill Wiggin MP on the subject of funding for a Bromyard link road.
"Bill Wiggin and Jesse Norman are making attempts to have the A44 included in the list of roads covered by proposed funding for relief roads.
"If the A44 is included, Herefordshire Council could then petition for funding."
Today, Bromyard Mayor Councillor Roger Page confirmed that the A44 has now been included in the list.
Councillor Page said: "The Town Council are continuing to press for a relief road from the Petty Bridge to the industrial estate and we will carry on lobbying in the hope that we can achieve something."
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