Satnavs the culprit (From York Press)

Satnavs the culprit

11:53am Saturday 4th February 2012 in Letters

WITH regard to the Sutton Bridge weight limit (Letters, January 30), HGVs using the B1228 pass within metres of Elvington Primary School.

Even with the ban in place, lorries often make an awkward turn into Dauby Lane passing in front of the school gates, causing concern to parents and children.

HGVs heading to the bridge then have to negotiate parked cars and bends on the main street. Once over the bridge, HGVs have to negotiate a bend on a blind corner. They then have a tight turn on a junction before Sutton village hall, which houses the post office and many community activities.

They have to pass through the tight S-bend in the centre of the village as they approach Sutton Primary School, again passing within metres of the entrance. When children are escorted from the school to the village hall for lessons, these HGVs are sometimes inches away.

Such roads were never expected to handle this type of traffic; the advent of sat-nav would appear to be the culprit. The weight limit has only reduced HGVs to a reasonable level. It does not affect large tractors and trailers with legitimate access.

I understand the council proposes to remove the ban in March. I must ask them to reconsider.

Peter Marshall, Main Street, Sutton-on-Derwent.