Residents have raised safety concerns over a confusing no entry sign on a one way street in West Kirby.
Bridge Road, near Aldi supermarket, has become a temporary one-way street for up to 18 months while repairs are carried out on a weakened railway bridge.
However, local residents have taken to Twitter to express their confusion after no entry signs were placed directly behind a set of traffic lights.
Local residents have reported that when the traffic lights are on green, many motorists are assuming they can drive safely up the street, which previously operated a two-way system.
As we revealed earlier this year, structural weaknesses were discovered in the bridge when Network Rail engineers were carrying out a recent inspection.
Bridge Road remains a two way route from its junction with Grange Road to the Aldi car park. But traffic will be one-way from Orrysdale Road across the bridge towards Grange Road.
A council spokesperson said: “Wirral Council introduced a temporary traffic regulation order to prohibit vehicles exceeding the maximum gross weight of 26 tonnes from using Bridge Road Railway Bridge, West Kirby, after Network Rail (who are responsible for the maintenance of the bridge) requested they introduce these temporary restrictions for
public safety reasons.
“These interim measures to protect the weak bridge will remain in place whilst the Council continues to liaise with Network Rail. The Council is pressing Network Rail for an early resolution to re-assessing the bridge’s current capacity, or carrying out permanent strengthening works, so that the temporary restrictions can be removed as quickly as practicable.
“A temporary one-way restriction was also introduced along Bridge Road allowing vehicles to proceed in a westerly direction only from its junction with Orrysdale Road. A one-way single lane of traffic is necessary on the bridge so that vehicles do not load the bridge’s edge beams. Bridge Road remains two-way between Grange Road and the Aldi
supermarket store access.
“Traffic signs have been positioned on Bridge Road and Grange Road/Meols Drive advising of the no entry restriction and that access is maintained to the Aldi store. “No entry” and chevron road markings have also been laid across the full length of Bridge Road advising of no entry.
“The signs have been carefully positioned to ensure they do not obstruct the existing footway, are visible to motorists and to ensure they do not interfere with the operation of the existing pedestrian crossing.
“Wirral Council will continue to monitor the effects of this new temporary traffic restriction and will consider introducing additional measures if deemed appropriate.”
