Dangerous verge drops on Lincolnshire village road ‘damaged by HGVs’

A West Lindsey District councillor fears damage to a Waddingham verge by heavy traffic could lead to an accident.

Councillor Jeff Summers has taken a tape measure to Cross Lane, off the A631 near Glentham, and said some of the ruts on the side of the C-class road were almost 20cm deep.

Lincolnshire County Council is investigating the state of the road, and has urged motorists to drive to the conditions in order to avoid causing further damage.

Councillor Summers (Conservative) said the rural lane was used by a number of heavy lorries and other large agricultural vehicles, particularly as a shortcut from a nearby quarry.

“This road is being destroyed by heavy traffic which hasn’t any business going down that way,” he said.

He said vehicles often “struggle to pass each other” resulting in them coming off the side of the road.

“It’s going to cause a serious accident,” he said.

Councillor Summers’ wellington in the water. | Image: Supplied.

“Many cars only have 10cm of clearance between tarmac and exhaust. When you are forced off the road by larger vehicles, all types of damage is occurring – tantamount to vandalism.

“How much longer will it be before someone is killed by the atrocious road conditions?”

Lincolnshire County Council said C-class roads don’t have edge lines painted on them and that road-edge damage covered anything breaking 10cm horizontally into the metalled side of the road.

They said the verge overrun and rutting was caused by vehicles driving on the verge instead of the road.

The road as it transitions into the verge. | Image: Supplied

Councillor Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said the issue had been reported to FixMyStreet four days ago – the first time since December.

He said an officer would visit the location and examine any safety issues caused by recent hard frosts.

He noted an infill on the overrun had been carried out in December and various repairs had been done last summer.

“I would take this opportunity to remind all road users to drive to the conditions and to stay on the highway rather than drive on the soft verge to limit damage such as this on C-class roads,” he said, urging people to continue reporting issues through the FixMyStreet facility.

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