HAVOC caused by a lorry that tipped over and spilt its load in Marlborough has been blamed on poor road signs confusing HGV drivers.


People who were trapped overnight in their homes want action, and the owner of the haulage firm fears the crash could cost him his business as he is facing paying for the extensive damage caused.

Adrian Starsmore, owner of Starsmore Logistics, said: “The council really should put signage up at the top of the road saying no HGVs.

“Both myself and the police have said that the driver did nothing wrong.

“Should the driver have walked down the road to take a look, in hindsight, maybe.

“This has been a costly mistake that could put me out of business so I am quite emotional about it.”

The lorry carrying 36 tonnes of bagged seed was travelling from Lincolnshire to Pewsey when it turned from the main 
road, Chopping Knife Lane, on to Barnfield last Wednesday afternoon at about 2pm, and then got stuck when the driver tried to get under the narrow old railway bridge on the private Elcot Lane.


As the lorry turned left its side wheels clipped a grass bank and it tipped over, shedding part of its load. The road was completely blocked, trapping people in their homes and businesses. Police even stopped people walking past it because of the safety hazard posed by the precarious load.


Now residents and businesses want the council to provide clearer signs at the top of the road to prevent future mistakes by drivers. Barnfield currently has a dead end sign, but they want signs warning that the road narrows.


David Thornton, who lives on Barnfield, said: “There has been significant damage to hedges, fences, trees, grass banking and the road surface.
“Had there been children playing around there at the time there could have been a serious accident, the driver was lucky.


“Maybe Wiltshire Council should put a sign up warning large lorries that they cannot drive down the private road.”


Fire crews from Marlborough, Pewsey, Swindon and Trowbridge attended and police remained at the scene overnight.


Recovery company Greenmeadow and local firm TH White, of London Road, Marlborough, assisted the clean-up process the next morning as the bags of seeds were lifted out of the lorry before the empty cab was finally moved away at about 5pm next day.


A spokesman from Wiltshire Council said: “It is not the responsibility for the council to place signs on private roads that Wiltshire Council does not maintain.


“The council is more than happy to advise if the residents feel anything can be done to prevent HGV lorries from making the turning down the lane.”