'Carnage' on Heysham roads as traffic gridlock issues worsen

Motorists are furious over lengthy traffic tailbacks in Heysham which this week have again led to hours of delays on the roads.

Beyond Radio received multiple reports on Wednesday morning of gridlock on the Heysham Bypass, Middleton Road and other nearby roads.

One local motorist posted on social media that it was "the worst gridlock I have seen".

Another posted that it was "blocked all the way down Middleton Road and that "some heads need to roll for this carnage."

"People are late for work, locals can't get home," said another resident who messaged us.

The North Yorkshire Weather Updates Facebook page posted: "Big delays at Heysham Port this morning, well over 100 HGVs waiting on roads to get into the port.

"Some been waiting three hours."

We also had reports of lengthy queues on Tuesday.

Another social media post from a resident said: "Be careful using the back roads from Middleton to Snatchems (Downeyfield Road - Lancaster Road).

"There is a lot of traffic using it this morning, including HGVs in both directions, which is causing traffic to come to a full stop around blind bends."

People from the local area will be using the port this week to travel to the annual Isle of Man TT races, which began on Monday.

Heysham Port

Another resident posted on Wednesday morning said: "Heads up anyone sailing from Heysham in anything with four or more wheels - the freight port is an absolute cluster right now and traffic is queuing back down the Heysham bypass.

"I live there and was about a mile of traffic at 0630 today. Give yourself plenty of time to catch the ferry."

Another post said: "Boats were leaving for the TT an hour late this morning because of the self service sign in system at the port.

"Trucks sat in a queue along the bypass for over an hour, residents experiencing huge delays daily. Something has to be done. It's farcical."

Bay Medical Group, who run the Heysham Primary Care Centre on Middleton Way, posted on Wednesday morning to say:

"BMG patients, please be aware there are significant traffic delays this morning around the Heysham area.

"Traffic is currently backed up from the Heysham Roundabout towards the port, extending back towards the Strawberry Gardens pub.

"At present, we are unsure whether this is due to the recent changes to port operating times, ongoing roadworks, or a combination of both.

"Although changes were introduced to help improve traffic flow, there appears to be a substantial knock-on effect across the local road network this morning.

"Alternative routes, including Kingsway, are also experiencing heavy congestion as drivers try to avoid the main delays.

"As a result, both patients and clinicians may experience delays arriving for appointments today. We appreciate your patience and understanding while disruption continues.

"Please allow extra travel time where possible."

In March, we reported that changes to the entry system at the port had been blamed for regular gridlocks in the area between the Bay Gateway/Heysham Bypass and Rothesay Road, since January,

At the time, Heysham Port said "operational improvements within the port, alongside external factors such as the backlog caused by recent adverse weather conditions, have resulted in some delays to vehicles accessing the port estate" but said "traffic flow is expected to return to normal shortly".

A Facebook page has been set up called 'Public Opposition to Port Changes: Job losses and Gridlock'.

The group description says it opposes "recent operational changes at the port which are already creating serious traffic problems and putting local jobs at risk".

It says that until January, the port operated three separate check-in offices across the site, which have now been replaced with a single check-in location, leading to congestion as "all incoming traffic is now forced through one area of the port".

"We recognise the disruption experienced by local residents and road users around the port," said a spokesperson for Peel Ports on Wednesday.

“Increased traffic volumes in recent days have been driven by a combination of factors, including the Isle of Man TT festival, temporary local highway works and the introduction of new operational processes at the port.

“The new system is now fully operational and delivering improved processing times for customers who complete their information in advance. Additional support teams remain in place to assist drivers and monitor traffic flows as customers adapt to the new arrangements.

“We continue to work closely with customers and stakeholders to improve traffic flow and minimise disruption to the local community."

Lizzi Collinge, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, wrote to Heysham Port earlier this year, asking what was being done as "a matter of urgency".

Lizzi Collinge

Ms Collinge, in an update last week, said that temporary traffic lights due to emergency roadworks had also contributed to earlier congestion issues.

"I am aware of the ongoing issues on Rothesay Road and the bypass," she said on May 21.

"I have been working with partners including councillors, The Port, the Isle of Man Steam Packet and Electricity North West to get this sorted as quickly as possible as it is having a massive impact on local residents, workers and those travelling to use the Port.

"I understand that the current issues are being caused by the temporary traffic lights due to emergency repairs being conducted by Electricity North West.

"As soon as I learnt this I got in touch with ENW to urge them to complete the works as soon as possible ahead of the Isle of Man TT.

"Following my contact they did a site visit yesterday to assess how quickly this work could be completed.

"In their assessment they discovered a further damaged drain which means the works may last until the end of this week as specialist contractors work to ensure the road is safe.

"Since then they have shared this update with me:

“'We’re sorry for the disruption caused by this emergency work to repair underground power cables serving the area.

"We’re working hard to reinstate the road and clear the site to get the road fully open again as soon as possible, and we’re managing the lights to ease traffic flow at peak times to ease congestion while the work is completed'.

"If you have been impacted by this please do get in touch with me and I will keep pushing ENW to complete this work as safely and quickly as possible."

We have contacted Electricity North West for an update.

Ms Collinge also said on Wednesday that she had called for an "urgent multi-agency meeting regarding the traffic chaos around Heysham Port".

Read more: Heysham Port upgrade blamed for traffic chaos 'trapping residents in their homes' - Beyond Radio