Signs aim to deter lorries

Signs are to be placed around narrow streets in a Black Country town warning lorries not to enter following a spate of heavy vehicles getting stuck there after being wrongly guided by satellite navigation systems.

Residents in Cecil Street and West Street in Stourbridge complained after several lorries got stuck between parked cars.

Drivers were being guided through the streets by sat nav devices to access the town's ring road via Green Street - even though there is no way through.

Dudley Council has now agreed to place signs around the area warning HGV drivers away from the route.

A date when the notices will be installed has not yet been decided. Officers are currently working out the wording - but residents have been assured that it will be in the near future.

Stourbridge Township Council is among the town groups who have campaigned for the signs.

Deputy chairman John Shepherd said: "The main difficulty stemmed from the fact that once the lorry drivers discovered there was no access they then had to make difficult manoeuvres to get back out again

"This was one of the main factors to them getting stuck and posed the risk of damage to other cars.

"We asked Dudley Council to take some action and I have now had it confirmed these signs will be put up around the area.

"Although the wording is still being worked on, it will warn the drivers of heavy goods vehicles about the situation."

Mr Shepherd said he was pleased the township's suggestion had been taken on board.

by Lee Watton