We all rely very heavily on the fantastic job that lorry drivers do, distributing goods around the country. In nearly every case, this is done well and with minimal problems to our communities.

Of course, on those few occasions when things are not right it is your local Councillor who is approached and asked “What can you do about it?”

A couple of examples :

In Cracknore Hard Lane, Marchwood, I am told that lorry drivers miss or ignore signage which I had arranged at the entrance to the road and then find they are stuck in a cul de sac, having to reverse out again.

I have had Highway Officers check the location and type of signage but they say it cannot be improved upon. In all the circumstances, I don’t know what else can be done!

Residents living in or near Salisbury Road in Totton tell me that they are often disturbed by lorry noise at night time. Once again, one of my early successes as a County Councillor, ( over 20 years ago) was getting restrictions in place with appropriate signage aimed at stopping or at least restricting lorries from driving through Totton. They are supposed to route through the bypass and motorway.

Unfortunately it still happens. Enforcement is the job of the police. They simply don’t have the resources necessary to tackle the issue. Of course, I will let them know but I suspect that the drivers are saving a little on expensive fuel by choosing the more direct route, as well as avoiding the traffic light wait at the new housing development, north of Totton.

Ho hum… I cannot fix everything.