Overnight closures on the M56 have left Helsby residents fearing 'speeding' HGVs could cause an accident as they pass through their village.
A busy stretch of the M56 has been subject to some overnight closures as a result of a £1.5million scheme to repair the Weaver Viaduct.
The eastbound carriageway between junctions 14 to 12 was shut from 9pm on Monday (October 24) to 5am on Tuesday (October 25).
The westbound route will also be closed along the same stretch from 9pm today (Wednesday, October 26) until 5am tomorrow morning (October 27).
Drivers diverted from the eastbound M56 at junction 14 have been rejoining the motorway at junction 12 via the A56 Chester Road, A557 and A5117.
Duncan Cowley, who lives on Chester Road, said the speed of vehicles 'hurtling' down the road is alarming.
“I never knew the road works were even taking place until I saw an article online," he said.
“Nobody even warned us this was going to happen.
“The speed of the vehicles hurtling down Chester Road is alarming. There’s two schools along the road.
“There’s definitely a few of them going over the 30mph speed limit. The lights flicker and my windows shake every time they pass.
“It would be hellish if an oil tanker crashed on this road with all the chemicals and petrol inside them.
“I never knew the traffic would be to this extent. There’s no police around at all to slow them down.
“I think there’s a good chance an accident will happen in the next few days.”
Mr Cowley said he has also been unable to sleep as a result of the volume of traffic passing his house throughout the night.
He added: ”There’s been a massive problem with disruption on this road for a while.
“As soon as there is a crash on the M56, which is at least three times a week, all the cars come through the village.
“In the last two years, the volume of traffic has gone 10 times worse.
“I’ve never seen so many massive vehicles passing my house.
“The noise is like a train constantly passing. I’ve been unable to sleep for the last two nights."
Members of the Helsby Facebook group have also been complaining about the lorries.
One person wrote: “No sleep for anyone living on Chester Road tonight and already knackered from last night. I never had any idea of the racket made by lorries stopping and starting!
“So many drivers on mobiles too. I fear there will be a nasty accident at some point!”
Another asked: “How long is this supposed to go on for? Going to be hell trying to sleep tonight, then up early for work.”
Another poster simply said: “This has GOT to stop.”
There was, however, some support for the lorry drivers on the Facebook group, with one person claiming it is ‘impossible’ for HGVs to speed through such narrow roads.
Highways England has been approached to comment.
