‘HGVs shaking our homes – and authority is liable’ says Cambridge resident

Highways England has put diversions in place but an HGV driver has said “blink and you’ll miss them”.

A Huntingdon Road resident has issued a warning to Highways England and the county council, claiming they will be liable for any damage caused by HGVs ignoring diversions and travelling through Cambridge.

Lawrence Greene has again questioned the need for HGVs to use the road while parts of the A14 are closed for upgrade work.

He has written to Highways England boss Jim O’Sullivan and the county council’s CEO Gillian Beasley to tell them of the residents’ plight.

He said: “I have indicated that this constant HGV traffic makes our houses shake and that the noise and shaking makes it difficult to sleep at night.

“I have also indicated that the shaking of these houses is potentially causing structural damage to them and that the constant passage of huge HGVs is degrading the roads and streets in Cambridge.

“Highways England and Cambridgeshire County Council will be liable for any property damage that is a consequence of them not creating and enforcing an all-highway diversion for HGVs around Cambridge.”

Mr Greene said he has asked for clear signage to be displayed to HGV drivers to prohibit them using Huntingdon Road.

The county council said it is working with Highways England, while a Highways England spokesperson said diversions are clearly signposted from the M11, A505 and A11, as agreed with the council and police.

The spokesperson added: “These closures and their diversions are signposted from where long-distance traffic should pick them up, as far back on the road network as the M25 for northbound and eastbound traffic, and also just before the start of the diversion route at junction 13 of the M11 northbound and on the A11 southbound.”

A diversion is required for local access, but some lorries are using this past the start of the long-distance diversion and travelling through north Cambridge and surrounding villages.

“We are continuing to work with partners to see what more we can do to encourage long distance traffic to follow the agreed diversion routes while we complete this vital A14 upgrade and will continue to keep local residents informed,” said the spokesperson.

John Wilson, an HGV night driver from Soham, said: “Two nights last week on my way back from the M6 there was nothing on matrix about a division until you get to the top of the M11, only two little yellows signs, if you blink you would miss them.

“My suggestion would be to close it further back so HGVs can’t go down Huntingdon Road at all, local traffic would come of the M11 first exit to get into Cambridge.”

Traffic is being diverted away from the A14 while the Girton junction is being improved. Diversions are set to last until September.