17/03/2023
PETITION TO BAN HGVs FROM MAIN ROADS THROUGH BIGGLESWADE, POTTON AND SANDY
I am supporting a petition which has recently launch, to ban-HGVs from the main roads which run through Biggleswade, Potton and Sandy. Read on to find out the background and how you can sign the petition.
The sight of HGVs rolling through the centre of our towns and villages has become a familiar one to pedestrians and motorists. While we all recognise the need for deliveries to be made to many households and businesses, there are also a number of lorries passing through, just because their SatNav has sent them this way or because its perceived it might be a couple of minutes quicker.
Local Independents have monitoring the HGVs passing through local towns. Having contacted the companies involved, about 50% had no need to be in the town and were using it as a cut through. Although some of the firms agreed to take steps to source more sensible routes, the problem continues.
It is clear that HGVs have no excuse to pass through our area unless they are delivering or travelling to/from their HQ. If they are heading down from the north on the A1 and need to go to Cambridge, they can use the A428. If they are heading from the south, up the A1 ,they should travel to Cambridge via the A505 passing Baldock and Royston.
For a long time Central Bedfordshire Council had maintained the roads through Biggleswade, Sandy and Potton are secondary freight routes (the A1 is primary) so HGVs could not be banned. However, CBC has now acknowledged to us, that it can apply for this change.
And a petition has now been launched with the intention of putting pressure on the council to make the required alterations.
This change would bring a huge benefit to residents of Potton Road and Drove Road that really feel the pressure of the present large volumes of HGVs. Importantly it will stop excessive numbers of HGVs from passing by two Biggleswade schools (Edward Peake and Stratton) which would clearly make children’s journeys to school much safer.
This is not intended as a criticism of HGV drivers who perform a vital role in today's society. This is about the companies who have not taken the appropriate steps to ensure properly-planned routes that avoid small villages and towns.
If the petition is successful we would like to see it extended to other areas of Central Beds.
The petition states:
"We the undersigned request and require Central Bedfordshire Council bring about a ban to HGVs passing through Sandy, Potton and Wrestlingworth on the B1047 and through Biggleswade and Potton on the B1040. We understand any such provision would not be able to apply to any vehicle delivering to the area in question and/or driving to/from a base/office in the area in question. Such provisions would also be used to ban such vehicles, which do not have business there, from passing through the villages of Everton, Dunton, Eyeworth and Sutton."
If more than 100 people sign it then CBC will have to consider it formally, at a committee meeting in the coming months.
We will keep everyone up to date as to how it goes and if you wish to attend and speak, you can do.
Anyone can sign the petition as long as they live, work or study in Central Bedfordshire. More than one person per household can sign.
The link to the petition can be found here: https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/directory_record/162746/ban_hgvs_taking_shortcuts_through_potton_sandy_and_biggleswade
There is an election in May so it's important all is above board hence the below...
Promoted by Hayley Whitaker, 3 Sutton Road, SG19 2TP.
