Lorry ban around city building over wind fears

Leeds City Council have drawn up plans to stop HGVs using Victoria Bridge over the River Aire after a man was killed when a lorry was blown over.

Pedestrian Edward Slaney, 35, from Sowerby Bridge, was crushed to death at Bridgewater Place, in the city centre, two years ago.

Vehicles weighing over 7.5 tonnes could be banned from Victoria Road, near the Water Lane and Victoria Road junctions.

Warning signs advising motorists to take different routes in windy weather will be installed.

A report to the council said: “Since completion of the Bridgewater Place building in 2007 there have been complaints and concerns raised about abnormally high winds occurring around Water Lane and Victoria Road junction on windy days.

“It has been demonstrated by wind tunnel tests that winds in the area are being aggravated by the building’s design.”

A report to the council earlier this year revealed that there had been 25 incidents caused by high wind around the skyscraper since 2007. The proposed scheme is estimated to cost around £75,000.

The council are also set to spend around £250,000 on designs to cut wind speed around the streets nearby.

Problems caused by winds were unforeseen when the building was approved for construction.