Sat navs may be the route of the problem

From the archive, first published Thursday 28th Dec 2006.

SAT NAV technology designed to make life easier for drivers is making life harder for rural people.

People living in towns and villages near Winchester are complaining that satellite navigation systems are misdirecting drivers onto unsuitable roads.

There are a growing number of reports of lorries getting stuck on tight corners and narrow country lanes.

One village in the Meon Valley, Exton has erected a sign asking drivers to turn off their satnav systems.

Sat navs tell drivers the quickest route but many systems do not take into account the suitability of the local roads.

Now Alresford town councillor Mark Luckham is launching a campaign to minimise the problem.

Mr Luckham said sat navs' were directing HGV drivers through Alresford, for instance on the route between Basingstoke and Fareham. The traditional route was M3-M27 but sat navs are telling drivers to use the narrow B3046 through the Candovers, Alresford and Cheriton.

He said: "Someone is going to get killed at some point. These lorries are causing chaos on country lanes chewing up the verges. We need to raise the issue at county and national level."

Unsuitable

Mr Luckham acknowledged that satnavs were here to stay but said there should use more accurate information and so avoid unsuitable roads.

Broad Street annually closes for a traditional fun fair and so lorries driving down the B3046 had to stop and then reverse nearly half a mile to turn round.

"I have seen lorries directed up a grass verge and through a hedge," said Mr Luckham.