RESIDENTS on a North Craven road are angry over plans to lift a lorry ban which could see hundreds of heavy goods vehicles pass their homes each week.

County council highways bosses want to lift the 7.5 tonne weight limit on roads which join Station Road, between Settle and Giggleswick. This would coincide with the reopening of a newly strengthened Penny Bridge to two-way traffic and allow heavy goods vehicles from the Sowarth Industrial Estate a more direct route to the A65 Settle bypass.

But Station Road residents are unhappy about the idea, which could mean some 48 wagons per day trundling past their homes.

A report to come before members of North Yorkshire's highways committee today (Friday) recommends talking to people affected by the idea before a decision is taken on whether to lift the weight limit.

It says Penny Bridge should be strengthened this year and that lifting the lorry ban would open up a route to the A65. And it adds that the route used at the moment, which goes through Settle town centre, passes more houses and also the site of a proposed primary school.

Penny Bridge has been closed to two-way traffic whilst it is strengthened to take vehicles up to a maximum limit of 40 tonnes. Highways experts say if the bridge is not repaired it will continue to deteriorate.

Giggleswick Parish Council has already objected to the idea of lifting the weight limit. Members fear it could open up the road for other HGV traffic not going to the Sowarth Industrial Estate.

"We have objected on the grounds that the road is unsuitable for heavy traffic, would create a danger for residents and pedestrians and would cause a loss of amenity," said parish clerk Ken Coote.

North Yorkshire county councillor Richard Welch has been talking to the residents on Station Road.

"I believe there could be a hidden agenda to divert all the heavy traffic away from Settle and through Giggleswick, and it's creating a bit of a 'them and us' attitude," he said. "The bridge should be strengthened but the weight limit should remain, thereby leaving things as they have been for the last 30 years."

But Craven and county councillor Beth Graham argues that the weight limit should be lifted, adding that it was always intended to be the preferred route when the Settle bypass was built. "Lifting the weight limit and strengthening the bridge is the only logical option," she said. "It will only affect those lorries which deliver to the industrial estate from outside Settle, but it will be better for the drivers too."

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