There were 512 responses to this question and of these 427 provided written comments to the question. A number of different issues were brought up in the comments section with some common trends emerging. 155 respondents were concerned and angered by HGVs using unsuitable routes through villages, comments included: has been a marked increase in incidents where HGVs attempt to drive down long “There single-track rural lanes, causing unnecessary disruption when they meet oncoming traffic.” Hill and Dean Street are regularly blocked because drivers choose to “Hunton Hill, Yalding take a short cut and get stuck or damage cars.” roads were not designed for 30-40 tonne lorries. Should a beautiful medieval village “Our such as Goudhurst really have 40-tonne Bulgarian and Romanian lorries crawling through it?” 152 respondents raised concerns of HGVs damaging road surfaces and verges, comments included: of the road surface and lack of maintenance are making East Kent “The constant battering worse than a third world country.” freight goes down inappropriate lanes it runs over the verges, knocks down signs, “When gate posts, and erodes banks.” to road surfaces. Damage to pavements. Damage to “Damage verges.” 129 respondents were upset about HGVs parking in their local area. Comments included: are always parked in awkward places during the day and overnight and leave “Lorries rubbish and toilet waste behind.” parked overnight and for long periods in the lay by near our home is anti-social, “Lorries polluting and a detriment to our neighbourhood.” in lay byes with part of the vehicle left in the carriageway all night with no “Parking carelessly lights displayed.”
There were 512 responses to this question and of these 427 provided written comments to the question. A number of different issues were brought up in the comments section with some common trends emerging. 155 respondents were concerned and angered by HGVs using unsuitable routes through villages, comments included: “There has been a marked increase in incidents where HGVs attempt to drive down long single-track rural lanes, causing unnecessary disruption when they meet oncoming traffic.” “Hunton Hill, Yalding Hill and Dean Street are regularly blocked because drivers choose to take a short cut and get stuck or damage cars.” “Our roads were not designed for 30-40 tonne lorries. Should a beautiful medieval village such as Goudhurst really have 40-tonne Bulgarian and Romanian lorries crawling through it?” 152 respondents raised concerns of HGVs damaging road surfaces and verges, comments included: “The constant battering of the road surface and lack of maintenance are making East Kent worse than a third world country.” “When freight goes down inappropriate lanes it runs over the verges, knocks down signs, gate posts, and erodes banks.” “Damage to road surfaces. Damage to pavements. Damage to verges.” 129 respondents were upset about HGVs parking in their local area. Comments included: “Lorries are always parked in awkward places during the day and overnight and leave rubbish and toilet waste behind.” “Lorries parked overnight and for long periods in the lay by near our home is anti-social, polluting and a detriment to our neighbourhood.” “Parking carelessly in lay byes with part of the vehicle left in the carriageway all night with no lights displayed.”