Colchester High Steward calls for better anti-lorry warning signs

Sir Bob Russell has called for more adequate signs to be installed in the Dutch Quarter prohibiting heavy goods vehicles from being allowed in the area.

Long lorries are currently banned from entering Maidenburgh Street from St Peter’s Street, which is near to the gates of Lower Castle Park.

Warning signs are in place advising drivers against travelling down the road, but the city’s High Steward says they are simply not prominent enough and have little effect.

He said: “Experience shows these are inadequate for unsuspecting lorry drivers who have got lost either through dodgy Satnav instructions or in their confusion.

“Long lorries are banned when leaving St Peter’s Street into Maidenburgh Street, but at this point the signs saying this are small and not obvious.

“The signs at Middleborough warning of a lorry ban at the other end of St Peter’s Street are given in both imperial and metric measure.

“Advance warning signs at the junction with Short Cut Road are much too small - they are clearly not enough.”

Sir Bob’s call for change comes after a Marks & Spencer lorry previously became jammed for several hours on the corner of St Helen’s Lane and East Stockwell Street.

More recently, the former Colchester MP is said to have prevented a similar situation from unfolded when spotted a petrol tanker heading for the same junction.

On that occasion, he was able to help the driver rehearse into Taylor Court, eventually enabling a queue of cars to carry on with their journeys.

He added: “What is needed is for a sign to be painted on the road in St Peter’s Street, just past the Short Cut Road junction, saying the ban commences in 100 yards or so.

“Painting a ‘long lorry ban’ sign on the road surface may sound drastic, but it is obvious the existing signage is not sufficient.

“There have been too many instances over the years, and positive action is needed in the hope of stopping further incidents.”