closing road to emergency services

babyblade41

Not sure where to put this but we have had notice last week about closing vehicular access to my house from local highways. Including emergency services after end of working day.

I have no problem with having 5 days without access as such but to not have access to emergency vehicles seems wrong.

Mr BB has an internal defibrillator fitted and when it goes off he needs emergency ambulance to get him to hospital . I understand sometimes (this is water related) that repairs need doing but this seems a little extreme.

There is no other access to our house as it is at the end of a single track no through road .

I just wondered how the law of the land stood on no access to emergency vehicles 

Robin9

Is there a contact phone number on the letter ?   Ring it .

Section62

babyblade41 said:

Not sure where to put this but we have had notice last week about closing vehicular access to my house from local highways. Including emergency services after end of working day.

...

I just wondered how the law of the land stood on no access to emergency vehicles 

Is the Traffic Authority making an order under Section 14 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984?

Usually access for residents and/or the emergency services would be maintained if possible - you'd expect additional effort to be made in consulting affected residents for a total closure like this.  Has the council consulted you, rather than just notifying you of the closure?

Barny1979

They can do this, but in reality this is only when it is impracticable, but usually any vehicles that need to get through will be via a banksman and any trench plated over, out of hours, plates etc will be used to facilitate access where required. The Highways Department will be back to work on Wednesday the 27th, so give them a bell to discuss and explain your circumstances, they should be able to put your mind at ease and will communicate to the works promoter.

theoretica

How far from the highway are you?  The emergency services are really good at getting where they need to be and have wheeled stretchers and things.  And if you have a single track road I don't see how access can be maintained while people are actually engaged in digging a hole in it so how could the law insist on it?  But I strongly agree with the above - talk to the people who sent the note.  Is the no access after the working day how they will pack up and leave it, or because they are working overnight and could scramble to make access if needed?

Thrugelmir

Emergency services will be informed of temporary road closures in advance. If called, they won't turn up unprepared. 

Barny1979

Thrugelmir said:

Emergency services will be informed of temporary road closures in advance. If called, they won't turn up unprepared. 

Indeed, they are part of the statutory notification process, road closures are published on one.network too, that get pushed out to sat nav etc.

babyblade41

wow thanks for all the responses , 
We had a letter put through the door  and vehicles won't be able to get through at all.

It is a single track road with only 4 house on it . 
@Section62 no consultation just a letter hand delivered 

Grumpy_chap

Only 4 houses, so how long is the closes road?
Not asking to diminish the importance of only 4 households, everyone is equally important.  Asking as if it's only a short way, an ambulance or other emergency response would simply walk that final few steps.  Pedestrian access will be maintained, I'm sure.

Flugelhorn

I worked at a GP practice and there were going to be some significant road closures - they apparently leafleted all the houses and those who responded with specific problems were contacted and visited and alternate routes / access was discussed with the ambulance and other emergency services. I also had to get an ambulance one night for a patient and they simply couldn't get through the small road crammed with cars (old cobbled streets etc - we had managed in the car but their wagon was too big)  - in the end they managed on foot from the nearest spot 

wilfred30

I would imagine that contingency plans are already in place not only for ambulances but fire engines as well.