CITY RESIDENTS have spoken out over “massive lorries” making their houses vibrate in the early hours of the morning.
People living on Gover Road in Redbridge say their lives are being disturbed by “rattling lorries” travelling along the road, despite a weight limit.
They complain how the vehicles are mostly travelling to industrial units on Test Lane with Evri, formerly Hermes, branded the main perpetrator.
But now they are concerned that more lorries will pass through the area as the former Daily Echo site is demolished and built on.
Andrew Hannam, who has lived on Gover Road for 30 years, said that he and others raised concerns over lorry traffic when the units were first built.
READ MORE: People living near Eling Wharf slam 'unbearable' HGV traffic
The 61-year-old says the vehicles often wake him in the early hours when they drive past his house.
He said: “It’s very frustrating that we raised the issues, and it wasn’t taken as seriously.
“These are massive lorries. They shake our house. The sound, the vibrations.
“As soon as Hermes moved in... they are a little bit harder to deal with. It’s a big company so getting to somebody is a bit difficult.
“They should be more considerate neighbours.”
Residents say that lorry drivers have claimed their Sat Nav brought them down the road, prompting councillors to support a campaign for special devices for lorries.
Joining other councils in the country, councillors in Redbridge now say they are calling on the government to take urgent action and use its forthcoming Transport Bill to require all HGV drivers to use special Sat Nav.
However, drivers could be hit with fines if they continue to flout the weight regulations.
Cllr Sally Spicer told the Echo: “We are going to get two enforcement cameras. If they turn left to go down Gover Road it will be a breach of a traffic regulation order and they will be ticketed.
Fines for breaches could be around £60, it is said, with cameras set to be installed by January.
“In the meantime, we’ve got a new sign which is telling people to carry on down the motorway to the Nursling junction and reminding lorries that there is a weight limit ahead.”
Cllr Spicer added that a new fence is also due to be erected in Old Redbridge to give the area more of a “village feel” and possibly deter lorries from driving through.
She added that she has been “disappointed” with the police response to lorries constantly flouting the rules.
But when the Echo approached the county force for comment, it said the issue is “council-led”.
A spokesperson for Evri has apologised for the inconvenience caused to residents.
They said: "We would like to apologise to local residents as It has been brought to our attention that some Evri vehicles have been using an alternative route to the recommended one. “We are currently investigating this, as is not acceptable and we will do everything we can to rectify the situation.”
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