Damage and Congestion in Audlem

Our photographs capture some of the problems HGVs are causing in the village's narrow streets. On Wednesday, a huge double trailer truck managed to find itself on the narrow winding Stafford Street. When it was pointed out there were better routes that would make life easier for both driver and residents, the reply from the driver was friendly – particularly considering the pickle he was in forcing him and other vehicles to mount the pavements.

Our second photo shows the problem of too many large HGVs fighting for space on the same narrow winding road which was removed from the Primary Route Network in 2010 to try and encourage more HGV drivers to use the more suitable roads – the A53 and the A500 to the south and north. We understand Cheshire East have said they will at long last be changing the old Primary Route signs to the ordinary A road signs shortly – after all, it's only approaching three years since the road was de-primed.

Curiously, when Cheshire East itself was launched, new signage announcing the arrival of the authority appeared in double quick time on vehicles, buildings and borough boundaries and, it seems, with little expense spared.

Our third photo shows the results of a truck hitting the wall between the Lord Combermere and the Fire Station yesterday. The driver, we are told, was trying to reverse his truck when he hit the wall and then had to drive over his demolition work.

We are also told a pedestrian had a very close shave yesterday when an HGV mounted the pavement where he was walking. Not only are residents and visitors put at risk, but the pavements are badly damaged too by the hammering they receive.

At Monday's Audlem Parish Council meeting, Cheshire East highways staff and borough councillors were challenged to try and push a wheelchair along the narrow, broken pavement from the car park to the village centre past the Public Hall.

Other councillors suggested extending the challenge to Stafford Street where the pavement is in an appalling state and is still awaiting the long-promised drop kerb opposite the church.

With Health & Safety quoted so often by local authorities, and enforced on those doing business with them, it would be interesting to hear from Cheshire East whether those push chair walks would pass either the current Health & Safety or Disability Discrimination legislation. We look forward to the authority taking up the challenge.

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.