The Lorry Watch which has been operating on Barrows Green Lane Widnes over June and July finished last week.
It has differed from the previous project last year in that residents have been involved in contacting hauliers directly themselves. It seems that there has been a good response from this with Hauliers appreciating our direct contact.
Time will tell how effective this last stint has been but the group is hoping to follow it up with a months session later in the year. Some residents will be continuing 'the watch' whenever they have time and this no doubt will send a message to hauliers that we are really committed to ensuring a reduction of HGV traffic on the weight resticted routes in the area.
One of the issues the project has thrown up regards the use of Sat Nav systems by HGV's, particularly non local traffic. At the review meeting we will be holding on the project in September we will be discussing this point with the police. I know that is some areas Sat Nav systems have been altered to bar the use of weight restricted roads.
The Lorry Watch scheme is particularly relevant in that it links in with one of the main policies being pushed by the Green Party nationally relating to "Safer Streets": 20 mph speed limits on all roads in residential areas; a greater awareness of pedestrian needs and practical measures to implement such policy.
So Halton Green Party is fully supporting the Lorry Watch Scheme!
Set out below are basic details of the results of the project:
Lorry Watch operated on Barrows Green Lane Widnes for one month during June and July 2009.
Volunteers spent 8 hours per week observing traffic movements and 31 observations of possible HGV contraventions were noted.
Of these 14 definite observations of HGV’s were made the remainder we were not able to ascertain because of lack information.
We contacted 8 firms by phone and email regarding their contraventions and received a positive response from all.
With six of the vehicles we were unable to identify telephone numbers or website addresses. However photos were taken of these vehicles, which had registration details on them, and these were passed on to the police for further investigation.
If you're interested in getting involved, including attending the review meeting in September, please contact Jane Fitzpatrick via 0151 423 1692
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