Town to survey traffic in bid to ban lorries from its streets
Eye town centre is frequently congested with lorries trying to negotiate its narrow streets. Picture: Nick England - Credit: Nick England
A town plagued by trucks trying to negotiate its narrow streets is set to carry out its own traffic survey in the latest step towards imposing restrictions banning HGVs.
Eye Town Council wants to see a traffic order banning HGVs from its narrow streets. Picture: Nick England - Credit: Nick England
Heavy goods vehicles being unable to pass or manoeuvre around tight bends in Eye town centre has seen buildings struck, parked cars damaged and lorries regularly driving along footpaths.
Eye Town Council has resolved to fund an application for a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) from Suffolk County Council to impose of a 7.5 tonne weight limit on Castle Street, Cranley Green Road, Lowgate Street and Magdelen Street.
In order to gather data a traffic survey and air quality testing is to be carried out part funded by the town council and money from the locality budget of Eye county councillor Guy McGregor.
Eye county councillor Guy McGregor who is backing a traffic survey over concerns abouts HGVs using the town. Picture: Archant Library - Credit: Archant
MORE: Lorries could be stopped travelling through villages but at what cost?Mr McGregor said the construction of the new Cranswick poultry processing plant at Eye Airfield and expansion of Aspall Cider, based at Debenham, had increased concerns.
"This whole issue has been brought to a head because we are now faced with a significant change in traffic movements," he said.
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"The issue of large lorries more used to running on motorways coming through villages and trying to negotiate a very difficult bend at the Bank on Magdalen Street in Eye has caused serious concerns.
Residents concerns about the number of lorries using Eye town centre have seen the creation of the Truck Off Out of Town Facebook page. Picture: Nick England - Credit: Nick England
"For many people HGVs coming through in increasing numbers is something we simply have to address. The quality of people's lives is being reduced as a consequence."
MORE: Major review of lorry use in Suffolk villages plannedHighways chiefs in Suffolk are currently planning a major review of the county's lorry routes after requests for the issue to be more tightly managed.
The Lorry Watch scheme, run by trading standards in partnership with Suffolk Highways, allows parishes to notify where HGV weight restriction traffic orders are being abused.
In Eye a Facebook group called Truck Off Out of Town has been set up featuring a 'wall of shame' of pictures of lorries causing traffic problems.
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In a report into the proposed traffic survey, Eye Town Council stated: "Professional expertise is needed to supplement the data gathering and enthusiasm of the resident Truck Off Out of Town group.
"It will strengthen the council's application for a Traffic Regulation Order, provide important data to inform the council's position in considering the likely future planning applications for large scale chicken rearing plants and consequent HGV traffic generation."
