British Sugar
There seems to have been a rise in heavy goods vehicles using the village of late, many of which are tankers from British Sugar. There are also other tankers (WG Tanker Hire - http://www.wgtanker.com/hiretankers.html) which may also be contracted by British Sugar and delivering to the depot at Bardney.
I seem to remember in previous years, we encountered a similar increase in heavy traffic at this time of year... and can only assume it is to do with the beet harvest and subsequent sugar production at Newark. I think this was raised with the British Sugar Bardney depot a couple of years ago and we were told the old sugar beet factory is now used for storage and repacking of product, hence the requirement for tanker deliveries of sugar.
Branston Potatoes
We also seem to be having a few more of these heavy goods vehicles as well, although the reason for this is less clear. One can only assume they are coming through from the A158 at Wragby to get to the depot at Branston.
Rase Distribution
Heavy goods vehicles from this company also use this route to and from their Bardney depot, but generally these appear quite randomly rather than in a compressed period, such as the British Sugar tankers.
Construction Traffic
There have also been a number of vehicles supplying materials for the new anaerobic digester site at Wasp's Nest. However, as the construction of this site appears to be nearing completion, the heavy goods traffic may cease before too long.
Speed
Whilst the local firms who use the route all year round are sensitive (in the main) to the village, by keeping the speed down and negotiating the 90 degree bends with due care, the same can't be said for the contract drivers of some other heavy vehicles. With many of the local children and parents navigating the narrow pavements to attend school, it can be quite nerve-racking when these juggernauts pass by with little room to spare.
Perhaps this should be raised with the Parish Council in order that a timely reminder can be considered for all Transport Managers?
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i tried for many years to address the problem of HGV traffic and thus could barely raise any interest from residents apart from those who live on the actual Main Road. I tried getting Highways involved re road calming measures and was told "it serves a vital area and no we cannot have road calming" I tried so many different ideas and yet no one seemed concerned. The traffic for the new AD unit probably will NOT decrease as supplies to feed it will be coming out of Bardney to Newark for treatment and then back again through the villages to the AD unit (I believe I read this somewhere in planning papers). With Nocton, I think the traffic issue will always be an issue until Highways acknowledge there is indeed a problem. Trouble with this is it will take someone to die before those who can do anything about it, will and thats a great shame. British Sugar despite requests from residents do not care about the disturbance they cause. In the 12 years I was there they never bothered, so doubt that will change! Rase will always use the route and now Branston Potatoes have found a rat run, I do not expect this to decrease either! very hard to persuade companies to enforce route requests on their drivers! Its a pity because Nocton could become a very tranquil village if it wasnt for the heavy traffic!
ReplyDeleteThe other route that has been suggested by British Sugar and its main transport contractors also goes through several other villages should they not be left in peace anymore than Nocton.
ReplyDeleteIt is a great shame that these vehicles have to be used but to keep profits up and costs down they are here to stay and will only get bigger. But just remember the next time you go to your chosen foodstore that the price is governed by the size of the vehicle that brought it to the store.
From a Tanker Driver on the sugar contract.
Thanks for the comments folks. It is a very valid point that other villages will suffer if all traffic is sent via one particular route... and no one village is more important than another! It is good to know that British Sugar ask their contractors and drivers to vary the routes, thus sharing the loading on these minor roads. It is much appreciated - thank you.
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