Stretton resident blocks lorries from A1 entering village

A fed up villager staged a spontaneous solo protest by standing in the middle of a road blocking lorries from accessing a restricted area.

It was the last straw for Kevin Hawkes from Stretton on Monday morning (May 15) who has become fed up with lorries travelling through the Rutland village.

The problem was heightened on Monday and Tuesday as a result of roadworks by Rutland County Council in Clipsham Road with a 21km diversion.

Kevin, 63, decided to stand in the middle of the road blocking the lorries from entering or exiting the village from Rookery Lane.

“It was horrible standing in front of the lorry,” he said.

“I have lived here for 30 years and have put up with it.”

After an hour Kevin felt that he had made his point and moved out of the way.

“It got a bit hairy,” he said, adding that the lorry drivers were becoming angry with him.

The Rookery Lane exit is just off the A1 southbound and leads into the heart of Stretton.

There are signs before the A1 slip road exit that there is a 7.5 tonne weight limit and it is for village access only rather than through traffic.

Kevin believes the lorries travelling down the lane have damaged the verges and there is a crash risk as the road isn’t big enough for two vehicles at a time.

Kevin said: “My objection is that it is dangerous.

“They don’t just trickle through, they come thundering down from the A1 in a 30mph zone.

“It is absolute madness.”

Kevin alerted the Leicestershire Police force to the breaches who sent an officer within an hour.

He said that the officer, who travelled from Leicester and was in an unmarked car, told him that if the lorry drivers travel through again they will be issued tickets and the firm they work for would also be contacted to discuss the problem.

A spokesperson for Rutland County Council confirmed ‘heavy goods vehicles should not be using this road unless it is to access a specific property’.

They added: “These restrictions are clearly signposted. The police are responsible for enforcement and should be contacted if anyone has evidence that the restrictions are being breached.”