HGVs causing 'pandemonium' in historic town

Lorries are causing "pandemonium" in a historic town after hitting the same buildings multiple times and knocking down fences, campaigners claim.

Residents and business owners in Malmesbury are calling on the council to take urgent action, with resident Jeffrey Manton saying a HGV hit his Grade II listed building as it attempted to squeeze through centuries-old streets.

"These vehicles are vast, enormous. When HGVs come through, it's pandemonium. We're asking for more than just talk," he said.

Wiltshire Council said it recognises the worries and that there is a 7.5 tonne restriction, which the authority has been reviewing.

Meg Gardiner works at Miles Morgan Travel, which is next to a junction with the High Street, said multiple lorries have hit the side of her building.

"We've seen them hit buildings opposite us and generally cause a lot of issues on a day-to-day basis," she said.

The staff have witnesses HGVs reversing the wrong way down one-way streets before getting stuck.

"It's quite dangerous definitely," she added, explaining that drivers need to take note of the signs warning of a 7.5 tonne limit just outside the town," she said.

Charlotte Bryant, who owns dog grooming business Paramount Paws, has seen lorries "taking out" fencing on a nearby house, as well as HGVs attempting to turn around, only to become stuck.

"It's pretty scary as they come around the corners, people jump out their way," she said.

Bryant feels making sure trucks get sat-navs suitable for them, better signage and maybe a "height barrier" before entering the town could help.

Manton does not believe the council has been doing enough after starting the discussion in 2021, he said "five years later I'm bemused by the inactivity".

He would like to see a "cross-country solution" on HGVs going into historic towns, such as considering licensing measures and smaller delivery vehicles.

Councillor Martin Smith, cabinet member for highways and transport, said they want build an "intelligence picture", with repeated offenders being investigation.

He called for people to report incidents to the council.

"This is important because action can then focus not simply on individual vehicle movements, but potentially on persistent non-compliance by operators," he added.

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