Pictures as lorry blocks road and smashes through railings
Whalley Old Road, from Painterwood and Whalley Road, was closed for hours on Tuesday (June 4) due to the crash. The road, with two hairpin turns, was described as "blocked and impassable" and motorists were urged to avoid the area.[1] Pictures as lorry blocks road and smashes through railings in Billington (Image: Ged Mirfin)
Ribble Valley[2] county councillor, Ged Mirfin, shared pictures of the crash with a statement from the council's highways team saying temporary barriers are in place adding that the lorry driver had ignored length restriction signs further up the road. Mr Mirfin said: "The accident could have been catastrophic. If that vehicle, carrying the weight it did, ended up on the road on top of a vehicle that could have killed somebody.
"Something needs to be done before it's too late." Pictures as lorry crashes through barrier in Billington (Image: Ged Mirfin) The Ribble Valley North East Conservative said several ideas have been proposed to improve safety, including improved signage and potentially closing the section of road completely
He said: "We are asking the highways team to look forensically at the problem and what potential solutions can be put in place. They could ask residents what they feel an acceptable solution is." Cllr Mirfin, and social media users, said this is not the first time an accident has occurred on the road with one resident saying incidents here span back decades.
He added: "Accidents are occurring so frequently and the last two have been so serious that something needs to be done. The question is what. "People are genuinely frustrated about this.
"This route is inconvenient and dangerous". One resident said: "I see so many near misses with cars swinging wide into the road to enter or exit at this junction. It is only a matter of time before other accidents occur."
Another posted a picture of another lorry reversing back up the road after getting stuck at the junction.
Lancashire Council's highways team has been approached for comment.
References
- ^ The road, with two hairpin turns, was described as "blocked and impassable" and motorists were urged to avoid the area. (www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk)
- ^ Ribble Valley (www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk)