Call For Changes To Sat Nav Route After Repeated Disruption

[RobBrady]

Local residents of Stobo, Scotland have called for sat nav companies to remove a short-cut after HGVs have repeatedly followed the route, leading to widespread disruption and compromising the road's safety.

The short-cut, which navigates travellers down the B712, is frequently used by HGVs carrying heavy loads of timber, as well as by lorries used to make large supermarket deliveries.

According to reports, the road is not designed for use by large vehicles such as these, with many fearing that continued exposure to high volumes of this kind of traffic will result in safety levels being compromised.

Local councillor, Catriona Bhatia, described the road as "unsuitable" for such traffic and explained the route encompasses "bridges that are just not capable of handling HGVs".

She also added that the traffic was cutting up the verges at the side of the road, leading to the overall road surface deteriorating. As a popular and designated cycle route, the changes to the road's traffic level also have an impact on one of the most vulnerable road users.

Locals have previously submitted requests for removal of the route, but to no avail.

Councillor Bhatia was keen to stress this does not spell defeat however, with plans to "go back to the council and see what else can be done" underway.

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Robert Brady

[Sproing]

Rather than getting all satnav makers to change their data — including, presumably, magically updating old devices where the owner doesn't want to pay for a map update — would it not be easier to get a width and/or weight restriction put on the road?

Wouldn't guard against drivers blindly following the satnav and ignoring the signs, of course, but the HGV traffic would soon reduce as long as the restrictions were actually enforced.

And, of course, HGV drivers who were actually using HGV satnavs would be routed differently once their maps got updated. (As for those using car satnavs — well, it should probably be a legal requirement for HGV drivers to use HGV satnavs, no?)

[M8TJT]

[Sproing]

[JockTamsonsBairn]

Surely these drivers must be ignoring existing width/weight restrictions to follow these routes? Are these not legally binding i.e. if you wedge your truck between 2 houses, won't you be charged with "driving without due care", as well as you (or your insurance) being liable for any repairs?
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Jock

TomTom Go 940 LIVE (9.510, Europe v915.5074 on SD & 8.371, WCE v875.3613 on board)

[andy_fy8]

Have just looked at both ends of the B712 on Google maps and there do not seem to be any width or weight restrictions signposted.

Unfortunately unless the council imposes some, then lorries will continue to use the road. They could always put up the "no satnav" sign but, having driven in a car along roads that have this sign, they are definitely physically unsuitable for trucks, and the sign will lose impact if it is overused.

To suggest that Stobo should be wiped off satnavs, would just impact on friends and relatives of Stobo residents wanting to visit the village. As well as the residents themselves, who would be "driving over fields" until they reach a road that is in the satnav.

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