Residents in Up Holland fear homes could collapse because of traffic vibrations

Mar 21 2013 by Sam Yarwood, Skelmersdale Advertiser

RESIDENTS in Up Holland claim they are living in fear of their homes collapsing due to continuous heavy traffic through the village.

It is believed that the vibrations from vehicles passing through on the A577 are beginning to take their toll on the foundations of School Lane’s historic cottages.

Walls and ceilings are beginning to crack and crumble with mortar from around the bricks, windows, doors and the eves of building said to be becoming a regular sight on the pavement.

In a bid to solve the problem, Lancashire county council resurfaced the road with anti-vibration tarmac which did reduce the vibrations for a period of time.

Residents say that something more must be done as the road is now starting to collapse beneath the tarmac.

Ann Boardman, who has lived on School Lane for 30 years, said: “We need a weight restriction on the road, it wasn’t made for these heavy vehicles and the road and house can’t take it. It is frightening. I get woken up at night by trucks going past – it feels like a mini earthquake!”

Cllr John Fillis added: “This part of Up Holland is a conservation not only for local residents, but it’s part of our national heritage.

“At the next full borough council meeting I will be demanding that the county place a weight restriction on this part of the road until they can resolve this problem in the long term.”

Bill Dawson, highways manager at Lancashire county council, said that the council had listened to the concerns from residents and responded to try and help minimise the issues. He said: “There are some small areas of the road which need attention and we've agreed to do the repairs early in the new financial year.

"School Lane forms part of the A577 and is a major road linking Wigan, Skelmersdale and Ormskirk, as well as a major access to the motorway network for the region. We've previously considered requests for restrictions to HGVs but there is no reasonable alternative to using the A577 as a route for goods traffic."