Warning to ASDA drivers after lorry crashes into A30 bridge
This is the message from councillor Nick Baker, chair of Laverstock and Ford Parish Council, following a crash which brought part of Salisbury to a stand-still on Friday, May 3.
The warning comes after a lorry driver wedged his vehicle under a railway bridge on London Road, A30, at around 8.30am.
Police closed the section of road during rush hour and traffic queued up through Laverstock as drivers sought alternative routes.
The railway line was temporarily closed to allow staff to examine the bridge and ensure safety but a normal service was restored by lunchtime.
A Network Rail spokesperson said: “Signage is in place at the junctions surrounding the bridge and, also, at the bridge itself giving drivers plenty of opportunity to stop.
"Network Rail encourages motorists to know the height of their vehicle and, where necessary, take the required diversions."
A lorry struck a bridge on the A30 on Friday, May 3. (Image: Newsquest)
Following the disruptive crash, Cllr Baker said: "It is vital we avoid a repetition of the traffic chaos and inconvenience to thousands of rail passengers caused by the incident or even worse long term damage to the bridge.
"As a Parish Council we raised the issue of unsuitable lorries damaging the bridge in the ASDA planning application and ASDA have pledged their lorries will not use this route."
The supermarket chain was approved planning permission by Wiltshire Council on April 17 with councillors voting unanimously in favour of the application.
Submitted almost two years ago, in June 2022, ASDA requested permission to build a supermarket, petrol station and coffee drive-thru on London Road, on the green space near Hampton Park Roundabout.
The development sparked controversy among local residents, with 64 representations made in support of the proposal and 72 informing the council of their objection.
Cllr Nick Baker thinks there's enough signage and the responsibility is on the drivers. (Image: Newsquest)
Cllr Baker fears that before ASDA's supply chain starts up, lesser-briefed construction vehicles drivers may chance the shortcut.
He said: "In this recent incident the driver concerned ignored three prominent height restriction warning signs.
"It it will be essential that the site managers have robust systems in place to ensure all high delivery lorries are instructed in advance to avoid this route."
Safety of the whole stretch of road leading to Laverstock is a "real concern" for residents, especially parents with children walking to school.
Cllr Baker said he is still waiting for Wiltshire Council improve the pedestrian crossing below the bridge, which it pledged to do so two years ago.
References
- ^ A30 into Salisbury closed due to stuck lorry under bridge (www.salisburyjournal.co.uk)
- ^ New Asda for Salisbury approved by Wiltshire Council (www.salisburyjournal.co.uk)