HGV drivers told to avoid new road layout at Brambling Fields (From Gazette & Herald)

Haulier tells lorry drivers to avoid new road layout at A64 Brambling Fields junction

1:09pm Wednesday 31st October 2012 in News By Karen Darley

A Norton haulier has told his drivers not to use the new Brambling Fields junction as he says one of the roundabouts is too narrow for HGVs and is causing damage to the vehicles.

Dave Welham, who owns Welbeck Transport, is continuing to direct his lorries through Malton, as trailers navigating the second roundabout at the junction are mounting the kerb and damaging tyres.

He said: “I have told my drivers not to use the junction as they are damaging tyres which cost £400 each.

“The problem is that while one roundabout is perfect the other is six foot narrower which is causing difficulties for lorries.”

Mr Welham said it was not just his vehicles that faced potential problems.

“If one of the high-sided vehicles that delivers pigs to the bacon factory clips the kerb it could quite easier tip over which would create a real welfare problem,” he said.

“I’ve contacted the Highways Agency and been told that they build for future specifications but with 50-foot trailers on the way there is no way they are going to get round.

“I appreciate they have to work to a design but this just doesn’t work.”

Mr Welham said that while the junction was closed his company had lost £10,000 but he could not continue to do so.

“I’ve stood that loss because I realised it was of benefit to Malton and Norton but I can’t go on losing money in the terms of replacing tyres which could be three at a time,” he said.

“So much time and money has been spent on this junction that it needs to be right – in the meantime my lorries will continue coming through the town until the roundabout is made the correct size for usage.”

A spokesperson for the Highways Agency said: “Following concerns raised by a member of the public, we have carried out an investigation into the layout of the A64 Brambling Fields roundabout and, in particular, its use by HGVs.

“We can confirm that the roundabout has been designed in accordance with current standards, which require it to be of a sufficient size and layout to accommodate HGVs.

“Although we have observed a number of HGVs successfully negotiate the roundabout without mounting the kerb, there is evidence to suggest that a small amount of HGVs have mounted the kerb to date.

“We will continue to monitor this area and, as with all of our network, independent road safety audits will be carried out at regular intervals to determine whether any further improvements are required.”