Following a report from an ALBOS reader, we contacted Highways England about smart motorways traffic defying traffic routing notifications and turning right out of Yarnfield Lane and crossing the A34.
The A34/Yarnfield Lane junction has been an accident blackspot for a long time so when Ian Powell contacted us about smart motorways construction traffic ignoring signposted directions to not turn right we contacted numerous authorities about the issue.
First stop was Staffordshire Police to ask them about enforcement of the yellow sign that advises the smart motorways construction vehicles to not turn right out of Yarnfield Lane.
A police spokesperson said of the issue:
“This would likely come under a highway offence, however, this would be managed by the local highways department at the council. Should an officer witness this kind of behaviour they would be dealt with accordingly at the time.”
We then contacted Staffordshire County Council’s press team and the smart motorways program who both provided a direct contact for Highways England to speak with.
Through their press team a Highways England spokesperson told A Little Bit of Stone:
“We take the concerns and needs of the community very seriously and have been working closely with the parish council {Yarnfield} to address any issues that arise while work is taking place on the M6 upgrade.
“All sub-contractors have been briefed about Yarnfield Lane and a number of steps taken to ensure vehicles do not turn right at this junction. Safety is always our number one priority and action will be taken regarding any driver found to have breached the rules.”
Further information:
Highways England has taken a number of steps to ensure vehicles associated with the motorway scheme adhere to the guidelines regarding Yarnfield Lane and take safety precautions. These include:
- Regularly briefing sub-contractors about not turning right into Yarnfield village from the compound. Vehicles must use designated routes via the M6, A34 and junctions 14 and 15
- Ensuring that all vehicles loaded with stone are secured with sheets to prevent spillage
- Trimmed back overhanging branches on Yarnfield Lane near the M6 overbridge to prevent lorries being forced towards the centre of the lane posing a potential hazard to oncoming vehicles
- Installed advisory 30mph speed limit signs and ‘Slow down – construction traffic’ signs
- Using a road sweeper along Yarnfield Lane, twice daily, to help clear any mud/debris. We recently increased the frequency of sweeping following a request from Yarnfield Parish Council
- Installed two ‘no right turn’ signs at the junction of Yarnfield Lane and the A34.
- Installed a wheel wash at the Yarnfield compound entrance and briefed security to ensure lorries utilise the wash
- Meet regularly with Yarnfield parish councillors and Staffordshire Highways.
If lorries associated with the M6 Junctions 13-15 upgrade scheme are spotted turning right at Yarnfield Lane, please send the registration number and details to M6J13-15@kier.co.uk (if you copy a34@alittlebitofstone.com in as well we can keep tabs on volumes) so we can investigate the matter further.
