CHESHIRE East Council has responded to complaints regarding the low bridge signs in Nantwich Road.

Last week the Guardian reported on two heavy goods vehicles that got stuck before the aqueduct and the latter of these incidents caused Nantwich Road to be temporarily closed on Thursday, January 10.

Cheshire East Council has said that the signage is not the problem and that the responsibility lies with the HGV drivers.

A CEC spokesperson said: “There are more than sufficient warning signs of the low headroom on this aqueduct but if drivers of HGVs and high-sided vehicles choose to ignore them or chance their luck, then there is little more the council can do.

“We are aware that it can be an irritation to local residents when large vehicles get stuck or are forced to turn around in a narrow lane.

“Any breaches of this restriction would be the responsibility of the police to enforce.”

The first low bridge sign is at Newton Bank 650 yards before the low bridge.

The second sign is just after Glastonbury Drive. This sign also includes a warning ‘turn back’ warning light.

The third sign is just after Mill Lane, 290 yards before the aqueduct.

The final sign is just before the slight turn in the road on the approach to the bridge.

The height restriction of 3.5 metres is included on all of the signs.

Cllr Mike Hunter believes that the quality and positioning of the low bridge signs is not enough to stop the problem.

Cllr Hunter said: “The problem is that the signs are placed after Newton Bank, where these vehicles will already be on Nantwich Road.

“The truck drivers assume that there will be an escape route for them before the bridge but there is not.

“As soon as they are on Nantwich Road there are no suitable places to turn.

“Where can you reverse a 40-foot-long truck on a small Victorian road?”

Cllr Hunter does not think this is fair on the residents.

He said: “I feel sorry for the residents. I do not think they are being treated fairly.

“People have had their car’s damaged and it is having an impact on their quality of life with the traffic problems it causes.”

There are also concerns because when a HGV is stuck and trying to turn in the road, emergency service vehicles cannot get through.