HGV ban would not solve pollution and traffic issues, say residents
Two weeks ago, the Newbury Weekly News reported that a weight limit on the A339 through central Newbury was being considered by West Berkshire Council, and has since been contacted by a number of people about the effectiveness of the plan.
Hampshire County Council ward member for Burghclere, Horace Mitchell (Con), said that residents in Newtown and Burghclere would be up in arms if HGVs were to be diverted along the Newtown Straight.
“There would be a lot of resistance. That was bypassed when the A34 was moved and the whole point was it wasn’t suitable. As a regular user of the A339, I don’t see HGVs on that road as a particular problem.
“Newbury is building a huge number of houses, creating a lot of additional new journeys.
“Locally we did resist the proposal to develop on the land by Newbury College because we couldn’t see how that traffic was going to be catered for.
“They have seen an increase in traffic on that road [Newtown Straight] as a result of the development of HGV-based warehouses at Greenham [Business Park], which was approved by West Berkshire Council against opposition from Basingstoke and Deane and Hampshire.”
He added that traffic from London wanting to join the A34 should be diverted to the M3.
Newbury resident Keith Jenn said: “Since the A34 was built, I have seen the traffic conditions return to near what they were before the bypass. What is needed are further dual carriageways between Basingstoke and Newbury due to the amount of heavy lorries using this road.”
He suggested that a link road between Newtown Road and the A34 would help to alleviate traffic in Newbury, but was likely to be unpopular with HGV drivers as it would increase travel time to the M4.
Mark Knight said: “It's more about getting the traffic moving. That means sorting the light sequencing at the Sainsbury's roundabout and the exit/ entrance to the [railway] station. If there really is a significant issue with pollution from HGVs only, it’s odd it doesn't exist at points along A4, which carries rather more.”
West Berkshire Council is due to meet with Hampshire County Council later this month.