Bin lorry plans to be reconsidered for safety

Plans to let bin lorries drive along roads used by children walking to schools are to be reconsidered after safety fears were raised by residents.

Elmbridge Borough Council said in January that it planned to change restrictions around the Mill Road bin depot in Esher which would allow HGVs to use narrow streets near Cranmere Primary and Esher High schools more freely.

A council spokesperson has now said today that it would withdraw its current planning application in order to further consult with residents.

The decision was made due to the "large number of concerns raised by local residents", it added.

It added that particular concerns had been raised about noise and disturbance in the area, and access times to the Mill Road depot.

Plans for the site would have allowed lorries to use Douglas Road and The Woodlands from 06:00 to 20:00 BST from Monday to Saturday, and until 18:00 on Sundays.

Currently HGVs are banned from driving down surrounding streets between 08:00 and 09:00 BST and 14:45 to 15:45 on school days.

The council previously said it needs to relax the measures "to keep waste services running smoothly and efficiently".

It added that without changes, more lorries would be needed on the roads to complete the work in a shorter time-frame, increasing costs.

New consultations and drop-in events will now be held to further listen to the views of residents, it said.

A revised planning application for the site is expected to be submitted "in the coming weeks", the council said.

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