School pupils’ safety ‘at risk if bridge weight limits scrapped’

A controversial 7.5-tonne weight limit was introduced on Sutton Bridge, which links the East Riding with North Yorkshire, after the Grade II-listed structure was hit by a lorry in January 2010.

But it has now emerged that police had declined to enforce it because it does not comply with traffic regulations and an East Riding Council report says the authority has no choice but to remove it.

The bridge suffered extensive damage in the accident and did not fully reopen until £350,000 of repairs were completed six months later.

The weight limit was introduced in September that year but now looks set to be scrapped, although the council is proposing to spend £80,000 installing closed circuit TV cameras on it and other bridges in the area to make drivers more careful and trace those who are not.

Although the limit was welcomed by many, including Sutton-upon-Derwent and Elvington primary schools which said it improved pupils’ safety, the scheme drew a similar number of opponents who said it merely diverted heavy lorries into other villages.

The legality and logic of the traffic measures have also been questioned.

“Weak bridge” signs were put up to further encourage drivers to comply with the restriction, but these cannot be used for structural weight limits.

Other opponents have pointed out that the weight limit itself should not be applied as the bridge is capable of carrying 42-tonne vehicles.

As well as having the backing of the schools, two petitions in favour of the restriction have been submitted to the council, and others wanting to maintain it include York Council and Sutton-upon-Derwent and Elvington parish councils, while of the residents in the area who responded to the consultation, 18 supported it and 20 were against.

Opponents of the restriction include parish councils in Newton-upon-Derwent, Bubwith, Ellerton and Aughton, Foggathorpe, and Holme-on-Spalding-Moor.

Petitioners from Sutton who want the limit retained said it had improved village life, despite some drivers ignoring it.

They said: “The weight restriction had been observed by the majority of responsible road haulage companies, but a small minority of heavy goods vehicles were passing clear restriction signs in the village and at the bridge to cross the river.

“The outcome of a reduction in the number of heavy goods vehicles passing through the village had seen a marked improvement to the village environment.

“The noise pollution and vibration to properties was much reduced and the safety of passing vehicles had improved. There was also considerably less risk to pedestrians from vehicles having to mount the kerbs, this being especially relevant for primary school children who walked to both the village hall and to church on a regular basis.”

The report, which will go before East Riding councillors tomorrow, concludes: “Sutton Bridge is structurally sound and capable of taking 42-tonne HGVs and a permanent ‘weak bridge’ or environmental weight limit cannot be applied. A width limit cannot be justified and would prevent continued access across the bridge for bus services and agricultural vehicles.

“An environmental weight limit could be applied to the B1228 but is vigorously opposed by surrounding villages that have suffered increased HGV traffic.

“In the circumstances the only viable option is to revoke the experimental weight limit and remove the signs.”

Warning over closure effects

Villagers in favour of keeping the Sutton Bridge weight limit have also voiced fears about the impact of another crash on communities and local businesses if the bridge was forced to close.

One retailer said takings were down 65 per cent during the previous closure.

Residents said the closure had caused “considerable inconvenience, disruption and financial loss”.