For many months residents of Cricketers Way have commented on the unsafe reversing of lorries delivering to local stores. This was a matter I raised with Test Valley’s highways department about two years ago.
After my initial requests surveys of lorry movements were made and the highways officers wrote to the store asking for a review of safety regulations. Lorries should only reverse along the access road under supervision of a member of staff with adequate training and appropriate hi-vis clothing.
Despite this there have been a number of occasions when the rules have been flouted. Town councillor Barbara Carpenter and I have since been working with residents, highways and environmental health officers to ensure the safety rules are obeyed.
A Freedom of Information request showed no action had been taken after my previous calls to the highways department. I therefore requested the council undertake a survey of traffic movements to ensure drivers were following safe practice. That survey has now been completed and incidents “not in accordance with company delivery procedures” were observed.
This will now be taken up with the company and the council will be seeking confirmation of their agreed procedures and actions they may be taking in light of what has been witnessed.