Fears over lorries ‘causing damage’ to 16th-century village home

A Gloucestershire man fears his 16th century village cottage could be seriously damaged by the heavy lorries which pass through his lane up to 20 times a day.

Brockworth resident John Irving, who lives in Vicarage Lane, says the heavy lorries linked to the building trade which pass next to his home have caused roof tiles to slip and sewage problems at his property.

He fears that this movement of heavy traffic will seriously damage the structure of the cottage over time.

Mr Irving called for action from Gloucestershire County Council leaders at a recent meeting at Shire Hall.

“Our home, an old property circa 1560, is about 10 feet from the kerb on Vicarage Lane, Brockworth. Traffic, usually heavy lorries linked to the building trade, is passing through the lane causing vibration through our bedroom between 10 and 20 times a day,” he said.

“This is leading to damage to our property, recently roof tiles slipping and problems with sewage, and will, over years we believe, seriously damage the structure of the cottage.

“Would the council agree that this is unreasonable, unsustainable, damaging and that we have a right to the peaceful enjoyment of our property without the anxiety and distress this brings?”

Highways cabinet member Dom Morris (C, Fairford and Lechlade) said in his reply to the public question that officers have been in touch with Mr Irving and explained that the current developers have been informed that the HGV’s associated with the development should not be using Vicarage Lane.

“The access arrangements for construction vehicles are part of the details agreed as part of the planning approval, so we have been in contact with [Tewkesbury] Borough Council to see how they can support the community on this issue.

“However, the possibility of a weight restriction has also been considered by us as this is an aspect within our control, but clearly this is a longer term option. Inspections of the carriageway do not indicate that the structural make up of the road has been impacted by the HGV’s.”

Mr Irving  asked a the meeting on March 22 if the council would reply specifically to the issues he faces at his home which is more than 560 years old and only ten feet from the road. “The damage to the property over time, this is going to take over five to seven years, could be substantial.

“Would the council agree this is unreasonable, it is unsuitable damaging and we have a right to a peaceful enjoyment of our property without the anxiety and distress this brings?”

Cllr Morris said the council would look at enforcement as such traffic should not be using Vicarage Lane.

He said: “Please rest assured I’m deeply concerned about what is happening both to your individual property and to the residents on Vicarage Lane in Brockworth,” he said.

“I’d ask the officers to look into the enforcement side of this and I’m sorry we couldn’t have done a better job getting an answer for you which included how we enforce the fact these lorries shouldn’t be going down this lane in the first place.”

By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk