Signs steer lorries from town centre

Signs advising heavy goods vehicle drivers to avoid using the A612 through Southwell have been installed.

The signs, featuring an image of a lorry, direct drivers away from the A612 at the Lowdham roundabout and on the A617 at Averham.

They were installed by Nottinghamshire County Council as part of efforts to improve safety on Church Street and Easthorpe, Southwell, after a series of accidents.

Residents have worked with council officers on the scheme, which has also seen the introduction of a 20mph advisory speed limit on the road.

Southwell’s county councillor, Mr Bruce Laughton, who has been working with residents on the campaign, hoped the new signs would not only have a positive effect on Southwell, but would also reduce the number of lorries travelling through other villages on the A612 such as Upton and Thurgarton.

Mr Laughton said: “All these villages that have lorries going through them should gain some benefit from the new signs.

“The signs at Lowdham are a clear design telling drivers to use the A46 to access Newark and I’m looking forward to seeing what impact they have on lorry traffic."

Mr Martin Hubbard, of the residents’ campaign group, said: “Our sustained and structured lobbying has paid off and the county council is committed to completing the HGV signs to advise drivers to avoid Southwell if possible, and to a 20mph advisory speed limit, together with road safety improvements along Church Street."

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