Stop playing around and ban heavy lorries

I can appreciate the comments made by district councillors regarding possible damage to Royston Cave by heavy traffic and the lackadaisical attitude of the county council in not imposing weight restrictions for its protection.

But the presence of the cave should not used as the reason for requesting a weight limit through the town centre.

The initial request for a weight restriction was made some years ago by the town council in order to make the centre of the town safer and more pleasant for pedestrians. No mention was made of the cave at the time.

It is in my view unlikely, due to the position, depth and shape of the cave structure, that it will be damaged due to the weight of traffic.

Ground vibrations may be a problem but the answer to that is a reduction of all traffic speed.

What I fail to understand is why, when there are already weight restrictions in Newmarket Road and Kneesworth Street, there cannot be a similar restriction in Melbourn Street.

There is no reason, apart from saving a couple of miles and minutes, why any transiting lorry has to pass through the town centre. They should all continue along the A10 to the Royston bypass and then turn towards Baldock.

The county council has never been able to explain why there is a need to allow heavy traffic through the town centre, but always seems able to find excuses for doing nothing, while wasting money on unnecessary surveys and consultation.

Would they please stop playing around, pull their fingers out and erect signs banning vehicles over 7.5 tonnes from passing along Melbourn Street and Baldock Road to the Therfield Road junction, with exceptions for access to load/unload, but only from the Baldock direction?

Rod Kennedy

Town Councillor,

Royston Heath Ward