RESIDENTS of a village in Somerset have expressed their concern about the high volume of “dangerous” heavy goods vehicles travelling to and from nearby businesses.
The village of Westonzoyland, which saw the historic Battle of Sedgemoor in 1685, is facing an altogether challenge between residents and the activities of two local businesses.
Towens, a waste management company, and Durstons, a composting brand, both have business sites on the former RAF Westonzoyland airfield. Each use HGVs and lorries for their business activities, transporting tonnes of material through the village.
But residents say there’s been a considerable increase in HGV activities and have raised the need to address the speed of the vehicles.
One resident, Andy Pearce, said that the lorries “shake the houses” and that villagers “spend more on wing mirrors than petrol” owing to the regularity of HGV movements.
Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, commented that: “We used to get respite at the weekends, but we don’t anymore as the lorries operate. Sometimes we see 10 lorries in half an hour, and they don’t keep to the speed limit.”
Brenda Breed, who is visually impaired and uses a mobility aid to access the weekly shop once a week, says that when she crosses the A372 “I just close my eyes and hope for the best because it’s like taking your life into your own hands. It’s very dangerous.”
There is no dedicated pedestrian crossing in the village and cars often park on the road, causing a build up of traffic. Representations were made by the Parish Council and Cllr Diogo Rodrigues to Somerset Council “requesting enforcement action be investigated”, but there has been no update for two months.
Roridgues added: “Residents in Westonzoyland have endured a significant increase in vehicle movements, particularly from HGVs and other large vehicles, disrupting what was once a quieter village.”
In response to the concerns raised, a spokesperson for Towens said: “We are very happy to meet the group of residents to discuss their concerns at any time. There have been more lorries than usual travelling on the A372 through the village because we have been transporting materials for flood defence projects to protect local homes.”
Chris Durston, of Durston Garden Products Ltd, said: “Although the trucks have Durstons livery, they do in fact belong to a contractor that works on our behalf.”
“I will ask them about driving above the speed limit, although I doubt if they do with an artic, especially with all the cars parked along the route.”
