Overturned tipper truck sparks renewed calls for road safety action

CAMPAIGNERS renewed calls for road safety measures after an overturned tipper truck brought gridlock to the centre of Lymington when it partially blocked two roads.

Police and firefighters responded to the incident involving a white Iveco vehicle which took place as it negotiated a right-hand bend from Gosport Street onto High Street at around 11.30am last Friday.

No injuries were reported, but it took about four-and-a-half hours to clear the scene.

Residents who voiced frustration at the disruption caused included Jon Ellis, who represents the Bottom of Town campaign group which is calling for pedestrian safety measures to be introduced where the incident took place.

The group wants a crossing between Captains Row, off Gosport Street and High Street and the top of Quay Hill next to the King’s Head pub on the cobbles.

As reported in the A&T, a recent survey carried out by Hampshire County Council showed up to 10,000 people cross that road during the summer.

“This has to be the busiest road crossing in the New Forest,” Mr Ellis said.

“How much longer can the ruling party on the town, district and county councils ignore the need for traffic calming and crossings at the bottom of town in Lymington?

“Our Bottom of Town campaign demanding changes has already 700 letters signed by the public in support which we will deliver to [deputy leader] Cllr [Rob] Humby at Hampshire County Council in the first week of September.

“We expect letters signed and posted individually will take this total to 1,000.”

Jennifer Cutmore, who has lived in Gosport Street for 35 years, complained that by about 1.45pm the police had still not stopped traffic moving into her road from Bridge Road or Marsh Lane.

“They seem unable to stop traffic coming into Gosport Street from Captains Row and the High Street,” she continued. “This does not bode well for a more serious emergency.

“It is not rocket science to direct all traffic up East Hill at the bottom of the town and Southampton Road at the top of the town.

“This enables vehicles to join and leave the ferry and to travel out of the town on the A337 without coming through Gosport Street, Captains Row or the High Street.”

Queues of traffic built up last Friday as motorists were directed past the overturned trailer, which was marked New Forest Waste and Recycling Ltd.

A fire crew from New Milton helped make the vehicle safe while its recovery was ar-ranged, using chocks, blocks, wedges and stabilisers.

Police put road closures in place in Gosport Street and High Street shortly before 2.30pm to allow for the recovery.

The route was finally reopened in both directions around 4pm.

This story was updated on 2nd September to amend the description of the vehicle to a tipper truck.