Neighbours trapped in their homes as traffic floods country lane

Residents on a country lane are "living in fear" due to the "dangerous" increase in traffic following the closure of a major road.

The Daresbury Express, the main route between Warrington[1] and Runcorn[2], has been temporarily closed due to ongoing work by property developer Redrow. The road will remain closed for three months until the end of October while a new junction is created to serve Redrow's Daresbury Garden Village development - a month longer than originally expected due to delays caused by "technical issues".

Rat-run concerns were originally raised by residents in Moore who said Sat-Navs would take drivers down routes not designed for the increase in traffic. And after two weeks of repeated issues, residents on one country lane have told the ECHO[3] they don't feel their concerns are being taken seriously by Halton Council[4].

Kathy Humphries, who lives on Delph Lane, called the situation "abysmal", with an increase in traffic, including heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) using the single track lane. The 57-year-old told the ECHO[6]: "HGVs trying to reach the building site were coming down our lane which is only designed for single lane traffic.

"HGVs have come down and got stuck. They've knocked over oak trees and a telephone wire. One of my neighbours was without a phone line or internet for a week after the incident. A historic bridge was badly damaged because an HGV drove over it.

"There is no natural passing on the road so HGVs and cars are turning in our driveways. They've left deep gouges in the bridge and the lane is covered in potholes."

Kathy said she has witnessed at least two crashes on the lane since the Daresbury Express was closed. She branded the road "dangerous" - and added she and her neighbours won't walk up and down the lane like they used to due to safety concerns.

Kathy added the increase of traffic has trapped the residents in their homes. She said it can take half an hour to get out of the lane - and she recently was unable to go and see her mum in hospital due to the build up of traffic.

But Kathy and the residents have claimed there is no adequate signage to stop cars from still using the lane. She said marshals have been deployed at either end of the lane to attempt to turn away traffic, but are only available between 8am and 6pm, meaning cars still flood the area during rush hour.

Kathy said drivers using the road have turned to abusing both the marshals and residents leaving people fearful on their own street. She said: "Unless the road has a physical barrier to stop the traffic coming down, people will continue to use it like it is open."

Kathy claimed Halton Council[7] have only given the residents "lip service" instead of adequate solutions. She added: "We have asked how they are going to protect our property. It's so frustrating - no one is listening to us."

Significant damage on Delph Lane after an HGV got stuck Significant damage on Delph Lane after an HGV got stuck

A spokesperson for Halton Council[8] told the ECHO[9]: "Delph Lane was closed last week as a direct response to complaints received up to that point from residents about HGVs ignoring the signs and subsequently damaging the bridge, as well as about the volume of traffic. We would disagree that there isn’t enough warning of the closure.

"There is adequate signage out on the A56 and at the Keckwick Lane side warning of the road closure. There are also signs such as:

  • Road closed
  • Resident access only
  • No through road
  • Do not follow Sat-Nav
  • No access to HGV traffic

"At the top of Delph Lane there are red and white water filled barriers and ROAD CLOSED signs. At the new junction of Delph Lane on the Redrow site there is a traffic safety officer (TSOs) stopping HGVs from going into Delph Lane.

"The TSOs have had a lot of abuse from people who are trying to use the road, especially at peak times, as a rat run. The officers are doing all they can to stop motorists blatantly ignoring the signage and using Delph Lane. The fact that the vast majority of traffic is following the diversion route shows that it is suitable and effective. Unfortunately some drivers are choosing to ignore it."

Jason Newton, managing director for Redrow north west, said: "We’ve been working closely with Halton Council on the construction of the new highway junction. Following engagement with local residents, we have implemented additional traffic management solutions, including traffic marshals.

"These will be continuously reviewed to minimise the impact to the local community while the works take place."

Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the Echo Daily newsletter here[10].

References

  1. ^ Warrington (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
  2. ^ Runcorn (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
  3. ^ the ECHO (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
  4. ^ Halton Council (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
  5. ^ 19 years after young mum's murder detectives make new arrest (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
  6. ^ the ECHO (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
  7. ^ Halton Council (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
  8. ^ Halton Council (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
  9. ^ the ECHO (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
  10. ^ Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the Echo Daily newsletter here (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)

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