Diane stands against the juggernauts
Reprinted from Guardian Series
Lorry sat navs blamed for repeated damage
Diane Rhodes says the lorries are posing a danger to pedestrians
First published Friday 13 March 2015 in Epping Forest
Last updated 10:20 Friday 13 March 2015
by Joseph Flaig, Reporter, covering the Epping Forest district. Call me on 07795 316 211
Huge articulated lorries are posing a serious danger to pedestrians and causing extensive damage to property, it is claimed.
Residents in York Hill and Staples Road in Loughton say lorry drivers often try to use the roads as shortcuts through to Enfield, but cannot get through the narrow lanes.
The lorries are said to have regularly blocked traffic, broken numerous street signs and lampposts, and damaged poorly-maintained footpaths.
Mike Evans, 73, said: “The footpath is really, really dangerous where it has been hacked up by all the lorries.
“My wife is on crutches at the moment and she cannot go on the footpath.
“She has to take the long way round and it has been like that for months.
“Every time there is a bit more damage done.”
“It is a serious problem and we do feel very strongly about it.
“Sooner or later there will be a very serious accident.
“There is going to be an almighty collision.”
The problem is said to have been going on for some time.
A lorry caused thousands of pounds worth of damage by destroying a car, knocking over a garden wall and crashing into a hedge three years ago.
Ex-district councillor Diane Rhodes, 71, said street lights knocked over by the vehicles have been left by Essex County Council, leaving parts of the road in darkness.
She said: “The county council is much too slow in responding.
“We raised the issues probably last summer.
“It has got to be cheaper putting up a road sign than repairing all this damage that is going on.”
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