Safety fears in Howden following sinkhole lorry diversion
Residents fear someone could be killed as diverted lorries mount pavements due to the closure of the A614 after a sinkhole appeared.
People living in Howden have told Viking they fear it's only a matter of time until someone's seriously injured or even killed because of lorries mounting pathways on a narrow street.
Around 700 lorries travel down the narrow Flatgate every week but even more have been going down there over the last week due to the closure of the A614 after a sinkhole appeared.
Network Rail are now diverting drivers around Howden on the M62 instead of through the town due to concerns over safety.
But residents say large lorries using the street has always been a problem and are calling for action.
Our reporter Natalie Bell has visited Flatgate to find out more:
Network Rail told Viking:
"After working with East Riding of Yorkshire Council and highways officials, a new diversionary route will be in place in the Howden area, effective from Friday 22.
"Northbound traffic will be diverted via Junction 37 of the M62 and then the A63, turning off onto the A1034 at South Cave, and proceeding north to the A1079 at Market Weighton. Traffic will then continue to the west to rejoin the A614 at the Shiptonthorpe Roundabout.
"Southbound traffic will be diverted along the same route in the opposite direction."
East Riding Council say they're currently investigating the issue. A spokesperson said :
"Earlier this year council officers met with a number of residents of Flatgate to discuss their road safety concerns.
"We have carried out an independent survey over a seven day period to determine the speeds of traffic along the road and the numbers of HGVs using the road.
"The total number of vehicles using Flatgate over the week was 33,213 and this included a total of 698 HGVs during the week.
"Following concerns raised by residents about vehicles driving on the footway in order to pass on-coming vehicles, including HGVs, the council is investigating whether there are measures feasible to reduce the need for vehicles to mount the footways in order to help improve the safety of residents and pedestrians.
"Signing improvements will shortly be installed to re-route and re-number the A63 main road as it passes through Howden, which should help to reduce traffic levels along Flatgate, Hull Road and Station Road. The effect of the changes will see the existing A63 Hull Road - Flatgate - Bridgegate - Northolmby Street - Selby Road route become the B1230.
"Through traffic from the east, south and M62 will be encouraged to follow the new A63 primary route along the B1228 Boothferry Road and Barnhill Lane (currently unclassified), signing traffic to York via the west of Howden and the A19.
"New road signs at key junctions around Howden will clearly convey the changes to the road re-numbering again, with the aim of steering traffic away from Flatgate and the other former A63 roads".