Call for Action Over HGV Problem in the Glebe Estate

Stuck Eddie Stobart lorry latest case of vehicle misdirected by Satnav

The stuck Eddie Stobart lorry. Picture: David Lesniak

There has been an increasing number of reports of large vehicles trying to navigate through the Glebe Estate and getting stuck.

Residents believe that drivers are getting misdirected into the area, which is primarily residential with narrow streets, by their Satnav and that the problem has recently got significantly worse.

Not only are the lorries and other large vehicles blocking up local roads but there have been a number of cases of damage to parked cars as drivers try to undertake difficult turning manoeuvres.

In one recent case an articulated lorry got stuck at the junction of Fraser Street and Duke Road in the early hours of 18 April (pictured above). The vehicle damaged a parked car and the police had to be called to help the driver navigate out of the area.

Residents are now calling on the council to investigate the issue and check whether the problem is being caused by its Streetspace programme and if action can be taken to force haulage companies to use Satnavs specifically designed for HGVs.

It is also being suggested that signage at Devonshire Road and Ashbourne Grove is installed and vehicle gates, restricting access for large vehicles, is considered.

Glebe Estate resident John Hannon reports, "In the last few weeks, there's been numerous articulated lorries, a double decker bus, a coach and other HGVs. These vehicles are clearly too big for the area, but the drivers are directed by Satnav to come down Devonshire Road and are getting stuck in the smaller side roads. I've tried to persuade an artic lorry that turning into Fraser Street was a bad idea - he deferred to his sat nav (he might still be there...)."

Another local contacted us to say, "This has always been something of a problem in the past but the issue seems to have got significantly worse over the last six months. One of my neighbours thought it was because drivers of vans and lorries believed there was a blind spot in ULEZ enforcement at Hogarth Roundabout but a camera has now been installed at the bottom end of Devonshire Road. Generally, traffic seems to be much worse than before so something has clearly changed and it would be sensible for the council to see if they could try and identify the reason as it could be an indirect consequence of their Streetspace measures. In the meantime residents of this area will experience more pollution and congestion and a meaningful degradation in their quality of life."

Some residents believe that the origin of the problem is the restrictions in the Grove Park area which required traffic heading north to stay on the A316 to Hogarth Roundabout. There, they should turn left on the A4 to access Sutton Court Road but there are reports that queues are more commonplace on the right filter lane at this junction which, it is thought, has led to the algorithms on Satnavs recalculating and directing vehicles to the Glebe Estate. Large vehicles are also entering the area through Brackley Road which some think happens when there is congestion on Chiswick Lane.

Specialised Satnavs for HGVs are available which take account of the size of the vehicle and direct them away from unsuitable roads but it is thought that some drivers are using Satnavs designed for cars.

We asked Eddie Stobart if specialised Satnavs were fitted to its vehicles and what action it would be taking following the incident in the Glebe Estate but it declined to comment.

A Hounslow Council spokesperson, said, "We are investigating this incident and will consider measures which may be necessary, such as signage."

April 26, 2022