HITCHIN: Lorries packed with scrap metal hurtling through busy roads is the bane of many residents in our town.

Fears have been raised with Hitchin Nub News over the safety of such lorries, with a number of readers citing safety concerns as the powerful vehicles packed with scrap metal hurtle down routes such as Fishponds Road and Grove Road.

Concerns have been raised about the safety of pedestrians including schoolchildren and parents, not least from the aggressive driving many lorries seem to undertake as a matter of course, but also from the possibility of flying scrap metal from the uncovered vehicles thundering past.

With Wilshere Dacre Junior Academy on the route, there is a real concern someone could get hurt one day.

Scrap lorries

So, it will be no surprise to many aware of this worrying Hitchin issue that a lorry packed with scrap metal was found to be in breach of regulations recently.

Patrols were deployed to stop and speak to drivers of lorries carrying scrap metal on Hitchin roads, with support of BTP officers.

Herts Police said: "Patrols were also deployed to stop and speak to drivers of lorries carrying scrap metal on [Hitchin] roads.

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"One trader was found not to have the correct trading licence, during the road operation."

Hertfordshire Constabulary carried out the check during a recent week of action as part of a national campaign to combat metal theft.

Officers also visited three business who deal in scrap metal and catalytic converters to give advice and check that they were complying with regulations.

Hitchin MP, Bim Afolami is aware of the issue.

Speaking to Hitchin Nub News he said: "Residents have a right to feel safe on our residential roads in Hitchin.

"Grove Road is a site where residents have expressed to me that there is a particular problem with the speed, volume and size of HGV traffic."

In the longer term, Mr Afolami added: "we will need to think more about Hitchin's road infrastructure and ways in which we might be able to direct HGV traffic away from densely populated residential areas in our town.

"I will explore every option available to find a solution."

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