Lorry shortcuts cause concern

Concern has been raised that lorries using narrow country lanes in Southwell could cause an accident.

Mr Andy Gregory told the town council planning committee yesterday that lorries were following instructions from satellite navigation equipment to use Park Lane and Crew Lane.

He said: “They are using it as a shortcut because their sat navs see it as a shortcut.

“I understand HGVs using it for deliveries but if one big lorry meets another coming the other way, they are not going to get by because there is no space for them to pass.”

Mr Gregory said the lanes were used by horse riders and pedestrians.

He said: “As a road it is unsuitable, particularly from a safety aspect. There is an equestrian centre near there and other livery yards who use it — and horses and HGVs don’t mix.

“It is also unsafe for pedestrians because the lorries come rattling round those corners. They can see round corners because they can see over the hedges, but that doesn’t mean they can see pedestrians.”

Mr Gregory thought something should be done before there was an accident.

The town’s Nottinghamshire county councillor, Mr Bruce Laughton, said problems were caused because it was cheaper for lorry drivers to buy car satellite navigation systems than those specifically for lorries.

Mr Laughton said he would be happy to pay for signs telling drivers the lanes were unsuitable for HGVs using his community fund.