Truck OFF.!!

By The Black Balaclava.

Regular visitors to this blog will be aware of the ongoing battle by residents on Twyford Road, to stop it being used by large HGV lorries as a short cut from the M3 motorway into Eastleigh.

Twyford Road, is weight restricted with a limit of 7.5 tons, but this rule is regularly being flouted by inconsiderate truck drivers, who are mounting pavements to avoid oncoming traffic and on occasion smashing off wing mirrors of park cars as they try to squeeze down the narrow carriageway. Only this week three parked cars had mirrors removed by a Network Rail van that was trying to avoid an overweight lorry heading towards Eastleigh town centre and residents fear that it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt trying to cross the over used road.

However, it appears that their cries for help have been answered. Eastleigh Police have taken the problem onboard and have started to tackle the problem head on, resulting in many lorries being stopped and given a bloody good telling off.!!

I caught up with one officer the other morning as he was monitoring traffic movements. PC Steve Waters, from the Roads Policing Unit, is just as concerned as local residents with regard to HGV’s using Twyford Road together with speeding motorists. Steve, was kind enough to show me firsthand how the equipment that he uses works and was keen to point out that many road users misunderstand the role of what he does.“It’s not about generating revenue by giving out fines to people for speeding or breaking the weight restrictions, for us (Roads Policing Unit) it is about driver education.” He went on to explain that he has had to attend far too many RTA’s (Road Traffic Accidents) in his time with Hampshire Police, many caused by drivers not keeping to the speed limits in urban areas and vehicles using roads that are not suitable for them. “This road is clearly signposted at either end, and gives drivers notice that the speed limit is 30mph and that vehicles over 7.5tons are not permitted to use the road unless it is for access.”

Sergeant Chris Spellerberg, from the Safer Neighbourhoods team in Eastleigh Central, has also been taking a leading role in trying to address concerns regarding HGV’s and together with Pc Stu Beale, from his team they have had a couple of enforcement sessions on Twyford Road in recent weeks with some success. “Most of those stopped were ironically local residents and often we do suffer the 'nothing better to do' point of view, but this is something we are determined to address. Recently we have stopped a number of overweight lorries and I have dealt with them robustly, many of these would appear to be linked with industrial areas in the town who really should know better.”

One 44 year old resident, who did not wish to be named said, “I have noticed a dramatic decrease in HGV traffic since the police have taken a more active role in addressing the breaches of the 7.5ton limit and I hope that this is not just a five minute wonder on behalf of the police. Please continue this good work.”

In response, Sergeant Spellerberg replied, “I am happy to take reports from residents who notice lorries breaching the restriction, if they pass on the index mark, time / date and company name if there is one,  I will follow this up with the company’s management & make quite sure that they are supervising their drivers and are aware of their responsibilities. Whilst I fully understand that it is not the public's job to do this, it may offer something positive which they can do when my patrols are not there.”

Residents can contact the Safer Neighbourhoods team for Eastleigh Central via Eastleigh Police Station or by emailing, eastleigh.central.snt@hampshire.pnn.police.uk