WILTSHIRE Council has been left red-faced after one of its bin lorries needed rescuing when a road collapsed, just weeks after a warning from one of their own safety inspectors.

The huge refuse truck was stuck in a ditch on The Common, near Minety, all day after part of a road gave way on Wednesday morning.

The road has seen a surge in traffic while nearby Braydon Road is closed for bridge repairs and campaigners have criticised Wiltshire Council for a lack of action, saying the increase in HGVs using the road is dangerous and wearing away the state of the road.

The safety inspector's prophecy has now fulfilled itself and nearby residents have also criticised the council for its lorry not adhering to the temporary 7.5tn weight limit that was introduced on the road.

In October, a council safety inspector investigating campaigners’ concerns about The Common reported that: “Given the overall width of the road, it is likely that the HGV traffic will start to overrun the verges which could increase the risk of loss of control type collisions and it is recommended that the temporary weight limit is implemented asap to reduce the number of large vehicles”.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

Minety parish councillor and road safety campaigner Sarah Crompton, who raised concerns about speeding and the state of The Common two weeks ago, said: “I said an accident would happen but wasn't expecting to see this.

“One of Wiltshire Council’s own refuse trucks, breaking the 7.5t limit, avoided a truck coming towards him and the road has collapsed.

“HGVs and large traffic volumes have damaged the sides of the road and it is falling away with drops of easily 30cm plus, throughout the length of The Common.

“It is a narrow road, with no lighting, cats eyes or white lines and has serious subsidence.

“The road is not safe and is now in a very poor state of repair."

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “We are looking into this specific incident to establish exactly what has happened.

"However, a waste refuse vehicle would be exempt in such circumstances as it’s essential there is as little disruption to people’s waste collection services as possible.”