Crewe & Nantwich MP Connor Naismith says he has raised concerns with Cheshire East over the diversion routes set up to prevent heavy vehicles using Baddington Bridge near Nantwich.
A temporary 7.5 tonne structural weight limit was implemented on the bridge on the A530 Whitchurch Road after inspections found it was no longer safe for vehicles above that weight.
Mr Naismith said a number of residents in Nantwich have raised concerns about the diversion routes set up by Cheshire East highways.
Some report that many heavy goods vehicles and lorries which ere using the bridge have been redirected through residential areas, causing traffic and inconvenience for the local community.
Mr Naismith received confirmation from Cheshire East Council Highways Team that it is working with the owners of the bridge – the Historic Railways Estate – to make it operational for HGVs as soon as possible.
Cheshire East also confirmed the diversion signage will be reviewed to ensure drivers are clear of the advised route to take.
Local haulage and bus companies have also been contacted to make sure they are clear which route to take.
But diversions are only “advisory” and cannot be enforced, CEC reply states.
Mr Naismith said: “Until the bridge is fixed, we need to ensure that redirected vehicles don’t put additional strain on traffic in surrounding towns like Nantwich.
“While we can’t control adherence to suggested diversions, I encourage residents to get in touch with my office again if this issue continues.”
We revealed in September how the weight limit restriction was being imposed on the bridge, which spans the old Nantwich to Market Drayton railway line.
Then it emerged the call for a 7.5 tonne weight limit on the bridge was raised with Cheshire East Council three years ago by a National Highways report.
But that weight limit was only imposed in September this year, and Cheshire East Council has not carried out any strengthening works in the meantime.
In a previous statement, a spokesperson for Cheshire East Council said: “While Baddington Bridge carries a public highway, responsibility for maintaining it rests with the Historic Railways Estate (HRE).
“We are in discussions with HRE regarding their responsibilities for the structure and continue to work with them towards removing weight restrictions. Our primary concern is the safety of the highway infrastructure.
“Before we introduced the weight restriction, we communicated the issue extensively to local businesses to support the restriction being followed.
“Enforcement of the weight restriction is ultimately a matter for Cheshire Constabulary.”
Are there cameras there?
So take the bridge away and it becomes a cul de sac? That means car drivers will no longer be able to use that road. As a HGV driver myself I have been using the diversion as the signs give a clear warning about the weight limit on the bridge as a professional driver I have no problem reading the signs and take offence to the comment “the HGV drivers ignore the signs anyway” please do not tar us all with the same brush.
What Denis Newell said…
Exactly! Get rid of it can’t be kept to the standard required. It’s serving zero purpose anyway
While I type this I have seen 5 HGV’s go down the Whitchurch road and out of Nantwich. 2 were chilled vehicles associated with a very large dairy processor in Market Drayton and the others were grain trucks but from outside the area / sub contractors going to Aston mill.
The signage is unambiguous it should clearly state NO HGV access, do not follow sat nav and it would also be helpful for those who need to turn round to indicate at the Park road junction that there is a roundabout just down the road to turn safely and not to use the estate.
Pity Conor Naismith wasn’t as concerned for the A51 and the heavy usage on that road by HGV’s, cars etc, which is constant throughout the day. I’ve tackled the issue with local police and the Council, which all fell on deaf ears. Oh and by the way, the Police said there wasn’t an issue on speeding – perhaps they need go specsavers.
It’s amazing how the MP gets involved when he sees complaints about the diversions but says nothing to address the deluge of LGV traffic through Nantwich already.
Fixing the bridge doesn’t fix the problem, as Phil says it needs a Southern bypass. It’s sad but true that residents will be welcoming the fact on this occasion that CEC is broke and there is probably little in the pot of National highways, so nothing will happen for a while.
Designated low emission zones outside the schools would also be a good incentive for a bypass
Put a compulsory purchase order on the bridge …remove it …rebuild a new road with no bridge …sorted….
Oh I forgot this would cost hundreds of thousands of pounds ….and CEC are broke …..so who pays?
People who live near Bryn Lees school are enjoying a peaceful life without the HGV traffic.
Nantwich needs a Southern by pass from the A500 to the main A road to Whitchurch…job done …
Oh …that costs money as well.
This will go on for years.
Take the bridge away. Truck drivers ignore the weight limit anyway. If the owners can’t maintain it to a usable standard then take it from them and remove it.