Dagmar Terrace nuisance trucks diverted

1.24.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 7th Aug 2008

Local councillors Emily and James.

Residents of Dagmar Terrace are enjoying more peace and quiet after action from their local Liberal Democrat councillors to prevent lorries trying to use their street as a rat-run.

One end of Dagmar Terrace leads onto Essex Road, but the other ends with a low archway under flats. Lorry drivers trying to use it as a quick cut-through onto Upper Street regularly found themselves trapped, having to reverse back down the street to escape. They were then forced to mount the pavement, causing damage to the paving stones, noise - and possible structural damage to cellars beneath the street.

Council leader and local ward councillor James Kempton got involved, and action is now being taken to sort out the problem of nuisance lorries.

Measures include:

• Five new bollards, which have been fitted outside 19-23 Dagmar Terrace to protect the pavement and vulnerable cellars below.

• A new sign on Essex Road to make the height restriction clear, and stating that the road is "not suitable for high sided/ wide vehicles".

Residents have already reported that the problem is coming to an end.

Local Liberal Democrat councillor James Kempton said:

"I am pleased the Council has been able to step in to sort out this problem.

"There has already been a reduction in the number of large vehicles entering Dagmar Terrace since the height restriction sign was put up on Essex Road. And residents have already told me that the bollards are making a real difference.

"This is a good example of how the Council can listen to residents and take action."