ANGRY residents of Mill Lane, Sutton, are calling for St Helens Council to recognise their concern over the amount of heavy goods traffic thundering along the road.

People who live on the main road say that there has been a problem with HGVs for some time as they use Mill Lane to get through to the nearby Reginald Road Industrial Estate.

Now, Warrington Council have imposed a weight restriction of 7.5 tonnes on various roads around Burtonwood which residents fear will result in even more HGV traffic diverting their route along Mill Lane to avoid the weight limit roads.

One woman, who didn't wish to be named, told the Star: "In the past we have made a number of suggestions to the council in the interests of reducing the traffic, including making a new road to the rear of factories on the Reginald Road Industrial Estate, but we have just been met with the usual excuse that there is no money.

"When we then suggested that the council impose a 7.5 tonne weight restriction on Mill Lane, we were told that because it is a B road, it was not possible to do this. But why is it that Warrington can do it at their end of the same road?

"The residents have had just about enough of St Helens Council's excuses. If the problem is too big for them, why don't they take it up with the Ministry of Transport and let them sort it out?"

Council chiefs though say they are launching an official objection to the weight restrictions imposed by Warrington Council. A spokesperson told the Star: "We are expecting our case to go either to the High Court or a public enquiry. It is unacceptable to direct traffic in such a way that it impacts on other areas as this would impact on several areas of St Helens.

"With regard to Mill Lane, it is difficult to impose a weight restriction as it is a main access route between the main road and the industrial estate. The proposed traffic order by Warrington at Burtonwood has a significant knock-on factor for this area and we would like to enlist the support of residents in objecting to it by joining us and writing to DS Cooper, Director of Corporate Services, Corporate Services Department, Warrington MBC, Town Hall, Sankey Street, WA1 1UH."

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