Haxby and Wigginton Councillor Tony Richardson has expressed concern over the safety and stability of York’s roadsweepers after a second crash in six months sent its driver to hospital and triggered a withdrawal of roadsweepers from council service.
Cllr. Richardson said “I happened to be on the scene shortly after the accident occurred, where a full mechanical roadsweeper had overturned at the junction of Tower Street and Skeldergate Bridge. Fortunately, although taken to hospital, the driver sustained only minor injuries and shock, but it could have been much worse.
“My concern is that these sweepers appear to be inherently top heavy and unstable, and only need about a 5 degree camber before they’re in danger of toppling over. I’ve had a discussion with officers regarding the situation and I’m pleased to see they have withdrawn the council’s two other sweepers from service pending a full investigation.
“Clearly the safety of drivers and road users is our major concern, but there also would appear to be a flaw in their manufacture- there seems to be no visual warning to the driver that he’s reaching a dangerous angle on the machine before it topples- and it’s worrying that putting this situation right might mean a considerable delay before our council’s sweepers can safely go back out on the roads.”