Operator plans to sue over council's 'diabolical' diversion
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A ROAD HAULAGE company is threatening to take legal action against Cambrideshire County Council after the council set up a traffic diversion that allegedly resulted in one of the firm's trucks toppling into a ditch. Rebecca Anderson of Chatteris-based WingsTransport, says the crash, involving an artic carrying potatoes, has had a -serious impact" on the business because it only runs five LG Vs.
The truck's driver, Christopher Page, is expected to be off work for two months with torn ligaments in his ankle and shoulder; his leg is in plaster.
Problems started when work began on the Wells Bridge near the village of Ramsey St Mary, in order to strengthen it for use by 40-tonners.A diversion was set up but residents say trucks are now being forced to squeeze past their homes, causing damage to property. Anderson says the council was warned that the crumbling road was not strong enough to handle LGV traffic before the work went ahead.
"People had complained [about the diversion] — that was what annoyed us more than anything else," says Anderson. "We're not the kind of people to fleece Cambridgeshire County Council [hut] it sent us on the diversion route. It's diabolical."
A council spokesman denies that it was warned about problems with the diversion. He adds: "Our investigations have shown the lorry in question was on the verge when it went into the ditch and not on the road.
"We will listen to what the police investigation shows as well. If a company wishes to make a complaint we will look at in on a case-by-case basis."