HEAVY traffic congestion through two villages on Fridays has locals fearing that emergency vehicles will not be able to reach them in times of need.
Single track lanes through West Layton and East Layton come to a standstill on Friday afternoons because drivers use them as a detour to avoid regular blockages on the A66.
Barnard Castle shopkeeper Perry Hinton-Clifton, who lives at West Layton, is now calling on authorities to put up signs restricting the lanes to local traffic only.
He says the problem is caused by modern navigation systems directing motorist to take a different route when traffic builds up along the A66 where it narrows from dual carriageway to single carriageway near Mainsgill.
Each Friday afternoon he takes back roads through Winston, Caldwell and Collier Lane to get home.
He said: “I live abut 80 yards past the East Layton turnoff – in that space I sit and wait 25 minutes to turn right into my house. The worst we have had is three miles of backed up traffic. The roads aren’t suitable – they are single track roads with very few passing places.
“The concern is emergency vehicles. I have a 92-year-old father who lives with me and is not very well. If I have to have an ambulance for him it is just not going to work.”
Many of the vehicles using the detour are mobile homes and caravans with Mr Hinton-Clifton counting more than 50 last week.
Richmond district councillor Jimmy Wilson-Petch, who represents the villages, says the problem has persisted for more than a decade and there is no quick fix.
However, he added that the problem would vanish once work to dual all the remaining single carriage sections on the A66 is completed. Cllr Wilson-Petch added: “I am very much aware of it, the police are aware of it and highways are aware of it, but there is very little anyone can do.
“I am very sympathetic, Melsonby has the same problem. We have worked and worked to get this dual carriageway and now we are getting it – that is the long-term solution.” However, Mr Hinton-Clifton believes signs indicating the route is for local traffic only and warning drivers not to follow satellite navigation system advice to use the road would help alleviate the problem. North Yorkshire County Council did not comment.
