3:17pm Saturday 10th September 2005
By Tess McDermott
ABRIDGE residents' "lorry hell" could end thanks to a protest organised by two young girls.
Rosie, nine, and Jessica, ten, were the brains behind an hour-long rally on the Abridge Road bridge on Monday, to propel the plight of the village, plagued by HGVs delivering soil to the new Parsonage Farm golf course in Theydon Bois, into the spotlight.
Some dozen police officers were called out to keep order as up to 50 residents risked arrest to block the trucks' route. Protesters sat on the more than 200-year-old bridge, held banners and shouted "stop the lorries", as motorists hooted and waved their support.
Jessica said: "We have to stop the lorries. They're ruining the bridge and they're ruining our village. We organised the rally, made signs and went door to door canvassing, asking people to come out and support us."
Rosie said: "All our friends, parents, brothers, sisters and neighbours are here."
And their efforts look to have paid off.
The Highways Agency has finally agreeing that an alternative route for the lorries, along the Coopersale Lane works unit sliproad directly off the M11, bypassing Abridge, may be possible.
District councillor Stephen Metcalfe, who turned out to support residents, said: "The girls called me last week to tell me what they were doing and, once I checked with their parents that they were aware of what was happening, I got on to Eric Pickles, the area MP.
"On Friday he finally managed to speak to someone high up in the Highways Agency and progress has been made. The girls have put this well and truly back on the agenda. This protest shows the strength of feeling on this issue. The girls should be congratulated for having courage in their convictions."
Mr Pickles said: "What the really big sticking point has been is the angle of the turn onto the slip road off the M11. It's very sharp and they're concerned about the lorries turning safely but now they recognise the situation in Abridge has gone several degrees past intolerable. We're hoping that a solution is will soon be found."
Epping Forest District Council leader John Knapman has asked Essex Police for a letter of support "so we can move quickly and grasp this possible opportunity".
Residents have threatened to stage a second rally next Thursday, if no progress has been made.
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