Junction redesign and weight limits considered to combat HGV issues in Henley

A ROAD junction in Henley could be redesigned to make it safer for pedestrians.

Oxfordshire County Council is to carry out a study of the intersection of Bell Street and New Street.

The highways authority has also said that it will look at the junction of Henley Bridge/Hart Street and Thames Side.

This follows two meetings between town and county councillors at the town hall at the end of last year about heavy goods vehicles using the town as a “rat run”.

To carry out the study, the county council would appoint an expert external company, which would propose different options to make the junctions safer.

This could potentially be coupled with an 18-tonne Environmental Traffic Regulation Order and a length and width restriction for vehicles using the Bell Street junction.

Councillor Stefan Gawrysiak, who represents Henley on the town and district councils, said: “The county council is rapidly going to have conversations with the haulage industry.

“It is in the interests of the haulage industry to come up with an acceptable solution for the Henley HGV Issues. They must realise that large HGVs should not be transiting Henley because the streets are narrow, pavements are narrow and corners are too tight.

“When HGVs turn the corner from Bell Street into New Street, the lorry cab has to hang over the pavement. If you’re in the way and you’re not looking, you would get hit. It’s 100 per cent a safety issue.

“If a width restriction and/or length restriction was applied to the Bell/New Street junction then it would reduce the number of long HGVs going through.

“It must be emphasised again and again that Swept Path Analysis proves that long, wide lorries overhang the pavements, which is a safety risk to all pedestrians. So, these issues must be addressed and solved.”

Last month, the Henley Standard reported county council leader Liz Leffman met with Cllr Gawrysiak, Henley HGV Watch and clean air campaigners to assess the impact of HGVs in the town.

Cllr Leffman admitted that she had “never seen” so many lorries in such a small town and was committed to finding a solution to the “pernicious” problem.

Amanda Chumas, who leads Henley HGV Watch, said: “We believe that elected councillors, together with our MP, Freddie van Mierlo, were genuinely shocked by what they witnessed during their visit in December.

“They have now witnessed first-hand how dangerous the Bell Street corner and others in Henley are when long and HGVs attempt to negotiate them. The issue now is what action will be taken and when.”

Ms Chumas said that the Traffic Regulation Order enforcing length and width restrictions must be implemented within the next 12 to 18 months and that each delay increases the “risk” of a fatal or life-changing injury.

“While we welcome efforts to make streets safer for large vehicles, these measures are not an alternative to legal restrictions on large and long HGVs using Henley as a traffic corridor. In particular, we do not support the introduction of new traffic lights in Bell Street, which would increase stationary traffic, worsen air pollution, and further incentivise HGVs to route through the town.”

Ms Chumas said Henley HGV Watch had been campaigning on this issue for five years.

She said: “We are both grateful and encouraged that the seriousness of the risk is finally being acknowledged. The extensive photographic evidence we have submitted over that period, alongside the Swept Path Analysis, conclusively demonstrates the problem.”

Last month, the Henley Standard reported that the county council will consult with representatives from the haulage industry and neighbouring councils on this.

The RHA is due to present their comments to the county council later this month, and an answer for the study is expected by early February.

l What do you think? Write to: Letters, Henley Standard, Caxton House, 1 Station Road, Henley or email letters@henleystandard.co.uk