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Villagers record 144 lorries travelling along Barrier Bank in Cowbit during two hours while A16 is resurfaced




Villagers say their lives are becoming intolerable due to the ‘colossal’ amount of lorries which are speeding past their homes while the A16 is being resurfaced.

People living along Barrier Bank in Cowbit say they are getting just a few hours sleep a night due the vibrations running their homes and noise caused by the hundreds of trucks which are now using the road.

Surveys undertaken by residents in recent days recorded 144 lorries using Barrier Bank within one two hour period and a number were reported to be tailgating each other.

Traffic from the A16 is being diverted along Barrier Bank in Cowbit
Traffic from the A16 is being diverted along Barrier Bank in Cowbit

And villagers could be enduring these problems until June - when Lincolnshire County Council is expected to finish repairing a section of the A16 which is notorious for potholes and dips.

The three mile stretch of the A16 between Cowbit and Crowland is closed from 7pm to 6am while contractors undertake repairs during the week - with lorries being diverted onto the crumbling Barrier Bank.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, says the noise is having a big impact.

The weight limit sign has been sprayed over as lorries are encouraged along Barrier Bank in Cowbit
The weight limit sign has been sprayed over as lorries are encouraged along Barrier Bank in Cowbit

He said: “The noise and vibrations of the lorries is unreal - it’s drumming through the house.

“It is getting worse and worse. We can’t stick it much longer.

“If I get an hour-and-a-half’s sleep I’m lucky.”

He recorded 103 lorries during a two-hour period on Tuesday evening and a further 144 between 8.15pm and 10.15pm on Wednesday.

The man added: “I can’t understand why they are using Barrier Bank.

“The road is collapsing and it has big banks either side.

“The road is like a fairground ride in some parts.”

Sally Sanders says she is only getting a few hours sleep in recent nights due to the vibrations caused by lorries thundering past her home in Barrier Bank.

She said: “Every time a HGV goes past the house shakes.

“You can mitigate the noise very easily with ear plugs but we can’t do anything about the vibrations.

“You can’t survive on just a few hours of sleep. If this was going on for just a few weeks, you could see light at the end of the tunnel - but this is going on until June 6.

“It is also the speed they are travelling at - they must be doing more than 40mph.

“I am not opposed to cars and light weight vehicles but Barrier Bank is not suitable for HGVs.”

She says the original diversion route - which is still listed on the county council website - advises motorists to use the A1175 through Deeping St Nicholas to get to Peterborough.

Mrs Sanders said: “That was the diversion route and at very short notice LCC has put in an application to temporarily suspend the 7.5tonne weight limit on Barrier Bank on March 7.

“There is a sign at Apple Green pointing down Barrier Bank as a diversion route.”

Mrs Sanders conducted a survey on Wednesday night between 8.10pm and 10.10pm and recorded 134 lorries during that time.

She said: “That was just in those two hours. Good knows how many more went through during the night.”

Cowbit Parish Council chairman Trevor Tyrrell reported that a small ‘not suitable for HGVs’ sign has not deterred lorry drivers from using Stonegate and Backgate.

Coun Tyrrell says Barrier Bank is not fit for purpose - a point he made last week when the road closure started.

He said: “The road is breaking down near Applegreen and there are big dips in the side of the road.

“Barrier Bank is just not suitable for this amount of traffic. I am really concerned about the stability of the bank.”

He is also also asking the county’s highways chief, Coun Richard Davies, to come to speak to residents.

Coun Tyrrell said: “I would like Coun Davies to come here one night in the week and see what residents are facing.

“If he doesn’t I would class him as a coward.”

We have approached Coun Davies.

A spokesman for the police said: “Speeding is entirely unacceptable. Officers patrol the road network 24/7 and take appropriate action where we evidence people breaking the speed limit.

“Limits are there for the safety of all road users and speeding is a focal point for our Roads Policing Officers, it is recognised nationally as a contributing factor in collisions .

“We thank you for informing us of this issue and have shared the information with officers patrolling the South Holland area. We know there is a static camera already in operation along this stretch of road, as with every similar camera it is capturing offenders who will be dealt with through regular process routes.”



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