RESIDENTS and councillors in Culcheth, Glazebury, and Croft are celebrating the introduction of the HGV weight restrictions on their roads.

The restriction came into force last Monday, May 3 and the signs have now begun to appear on roads in the area.

Parish councillor Ben Alldred said: “Local councillors and residents have pressed for years to see action taken to address the issue of heavy goods vehicles using our local roads.

‘‘In Glazebury many homes and a primary school are just a few metres from the road.

‘‘We are so pleased to see the restriction now in place, reducing the use of our villages as a cut through for overly large vehicles.

‘‘Heavy goods vehicles have been seen turning around after seeing the new signs, changing the routes they have used for years as shortcuts between the East Lancs Road and motorway network.”

Former Councillor Matt Smith, who chaired the Glazebury Traffic Working Group, said: “The working group was set up following a public meeting to address the traffic concerns in Glazebury and consists of residents, council officers and councillors.

‘‘I would especially like to recognise the work of residents on the group whose contributions were invaluable.

‘‘They were able to make an exceptionally strong case justifying why these measures had to be put in place for the health and wellbeing of everybody in the area.’’

Councillors Janet Seddon and Christine Smith were elected to represent Glazebury and Mee Brow on the Parish Council in May and added: “This weight restriction was one of a series of measures considered to address traffic issues in Glazebury.

‘‘The former Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner had pledged to work with the borough and parish councils to install average speed cameras along Warrington Road in Glazebury with the full support of the working group.

“The second point on the newly elected PCC John Dwyer’s “Plan for a Safer Cheshire” is for safer roads.

‘‘Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council are writing to John Dwyer asking that he upholds this commitment by supporting the provision of average speed cameras through Glazebury.”