Peterborough City Council has confirmed that the height barrier at the entrance to Car Haven Car Park, Peterborough is in breach of legislation as there is no Traffic Regulation Order for it.

On 13 February  Gillian Beasley, Chief Executive, Peterborough City Council informed me that:

“I confirm that I have asked Andy Tatt, Head of Peterborough Highways Services to look into your concerns and he will respond to you in due course.”

Andy Tatt did not respond to me and the unlawful height barrier is still an unlawful hazard to road users.

Given the current situation with Covid-19, we must all avoid tying up Emergency Services and the NHS when they are needed the most. To ensure this I have requested Gillian to action the removal of the height barrier before the close of business Friday to prevent a serious accident at the height barrier.

If this is not actioned I will have no option than to report the unlawful hazard to the Police to deal with. Public safety is paramount.

Further Information

The height barrier at the entrance to Car Haven Car Park, Peterborough is a hazard to road users and in breach of legislation.

All height restrictions on a public road should be clearly identified and marked.

The standard minimum clearance over every part of the carriageway of a public road is 16 feet 6 inches (5.03 metres). When the clearance over any part is less than this, standard warning signs both on and prior to the structure should be provided. The stated clearance should be at least 75mm less than the measured height.

Heights of vehicle likely to be encountered are 4.2 metres high (i.e. A standard container on a suitable flatbed vehicle). Minimum headroom provided should be 4.65 metres exclusive of any additional space required for lighting units. Where emergency vehicle access is required, the height of such vehicles should be confirmed with the relevant emergency service. Additional clearance will be required if there is a requirement for an overlay in the future. Changes in gradient may also reduce the effective headroom for long vehicles.

Peterborough City Council (PCC) has failed to:

1. Introduce a Traffic Regulation Order for the height barrier
2. Install standard warning signs both on and prior to the height barrier.
3. Comply with Highways Act 1980 Section 137 which states: “If a person, without lawful authority or excuse, in any way wilfully obstructs the free passage along a highway he is guilty of an offence”.

Due to these failures by PCC the height barrier is currently a hazard to road users and must be removed immediately.