Baker: Sat Nav dangers must be tackled (Chorley Liberal Democrats)

Baker: Sat Nav dangers must be tackled

March 23, 2009 2:24 PM
Originally published by UK Liberal Democrats

A list of some of the most dangerous routes used by Heavy Goods Vehicles being directed by satellite navigation devices across the country was released by the Liberal Democrats. The devices frequently direct large vehicles down narrow roads where they can become stuck or hit low bridges. The party is calling on the Government to take action to ensure the devices take account of the width and height of large vehicles before choosing a route. Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, Norman Baker said: "The Government promised to look at this problem over two years ago, but has completely failed to act. "This affects rural areas the most, with huge vans and lorries clogging up narrow roads and causing real problems for other road users. "The rise in the use of Sat Nav devices has led to a doubling of the number of large vehicles hitting rail bridges. "This has the potential to be extremely dangerous. The Government must act to make Sat Nav devices safer for large vehicles."

Below is a list of some of the most dangerous satellite navigation routes. Region Constituency Town/Village Route/Details East Midlands Chesterfield Chesterfield Dunston Lane has a problem with HGVs crossing the Peak District & heading for the Chesterfield bypass to Sheffield. East of England Colchester Colchester The "Dutch Quarter" in the town centre is no longer accessible north to south by motor vehicles but sat-navs continue to direct HGVs down this route. London Hornsey & Wood Green Haringey (Near Hornsey) Liberal Democrats campaigning to get Dukes Avenue blocked off to HGV traffic. Richmond Park & North Kingston Richmond Primarily residential road like Kew Road being used as a run between M4 & A316 North East Berwick-upon-Tweed Alnwick HGVs have been directed down Rugley Road (U3053) from the A1 near Deanmoor. Vehicles have become stuck in the steep ford in the road. North West Hazel Grove Romiley, Stockport Right of Way from Oakwood Rd to Gotherage has been severely damaged by large vehicles getting stuck. South East Reigate Reigate Chart Lane is used as a cut through between two B road and Wray Lane is used to avoid the A road between the M25 despite being extremely narrow. Spelthorne Sunbury Thames Street is a narrow road with historic houses on each side but instead of travelling along the A308, HGVs use this route between Hampton Court and Walton bridge. South West Surrey Hascombe The village of Hascombe, Surrey suffers from HGVs using the B2130 to travel to Gatwick. Lewes Alfriston HGVS use the C39 through the ancient Alfriston village. Reading East Reading Elgar Road is blocked to through traffic in 1984 but sat-nav equipment still directs HGVs down the road in order to reach the nearby industrial estates. Winchester Twyford B3354 is used by many HGVs despite the fact that there is a motorway a short distance away. South West Bath N/A Lorry traffic coming into Bath merely to get out again on the north-south route when the A350 would be more appropriate. Somerton & Frome N/A A357; HGVs regularly getting stuck under a low railway bridge. Wales Montgomeryshire Mochdre, Newton, Powys Increasing problem of HGVs missing the Mochdre industrial estate & causing damage to roads & hedges in Glandulas Drive. West Midlands Stratford-upon-Avon Fenny Compton A number of problem roads in Fenny Compton, Warmington Radway Lighthorne Knightcote Ludlow and Bridgnorth Bridgnorth Drivers using sat-navs are being directed to a non-existent crossing over the River Severn. Staffordshire Moorlands Stoke-on-Trent Mill Hayes Road is a small rural C road which HGVs are being directed down. Yorkshire and the Humber Leeds North West Pool in Wharfedale, Otley Lorries being led by SatNavs up a very narrow road in Old Pool Bank Harrogate & Knaresborough Killinghall SatNavs directing large vehicles down Otley Road which has a primary school on it.

Chorley Liberal Democrats