Drivers continue to contend with the knock-on effects from a partial closure of Harbour Road, Paget, after a two-vehicle collision on Friday gouged a hole in a roadside wall that required a safety assessment.

Some motorists reported on social media yesterday that they had comfortably negotiated their morning commute on Harbour Road itself, with traffic lights deployed near the affected site.

One less fortunate driver said they had been “stuck” on Middle Road for 45 minutes.

Another commentator reported that eastbound traffic on South Road had been backed up as far as the playground at Warwick Long Bay.

Trucks bearing IN, HA, and HC licences, with the exception of garbage trucks, are prohibited from driving on the affected stretch of road as the assessment continues.

A government spokeswoman said that the truck restriction was put in place for the safety of all motorists as an unstable wall risked falling into the lane.

She explained that the other lane was narrow and posed a risk to motorists, especially during peak traffic hours.

However, an area resident and business owner said his company’s operations had been hindered as he needs access in his truck to unload heavy goods on to his charter boats and barges.

He called for a special permit to be issued for Harbour Road businesses.

The man, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Royal Gazette: “I have three heavy trucks here now and one light truck. That is a normal day. How am I supposed to get my deliveries to the harbour?

“What is the difference between a truck and minibus? They are the same size.

“The road is not too narrow for trucks, you just have to be careful.

“Where I live, I’ve had five different cars come through the wall into my house. I raised hell with the Government and they worked on the camber.

“I have lived here for 40 years. There have been four [accidents] there in the last four months. We need to slow the traffic down. I have yet to see radar set up on the side of the road.

“A couple of speed bumps are needed to slow traffic down.”

He added: “Probably half the traffic, and every motorcycle, ignores the middle line completely. If police were visible on this road on motorcycles, it would make a lot of difference.

“They need to give a special permit for businesses on Harbour Road.

“Our trucks carry heavy weights for moorings, chains for moorings, they carry booze, food, they remove trash. They are used for all sorts of things. One truck has chain on it. Some of the links alone weigh 250 pounds; they are for heavy moorings. Sometimes, the truck has a tonne on the back — how to we get that to the water? We have to get to the dock.

“Going to Middle Road and South Shore doesn’t get us to the harbour. It has got to be open to trucks. If you want to limit trucks, fine, give a special licence to those who have a business on Harbour Road.

“Look at the houses on Harbour Road — you think they cut their own grass? No, trucks and trailers need to get there. It goes on and on. It is a private wall. I hear the owner is off the island. It is up to the homeowner to rebuild it, not the Government.”

The restriction zone extends from Chapel Road to Lover’s Lane, both in Paget.

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Public Works and Environment said that detours for heavy machinery were “necessary” to ensure safety.

She explained: “This restriction was implemented to get traffic ready for Monday morning peak traffic.

“Within this stretch, the only business identified as requiring access to the harbour appears to be Lady Boats Bermuda.”

The spokeswoman said that the ministry could not say how long the lane closure would be in place.

She added: “Until the wall is stabilised, the vehicle restrictions will remain in effect.

“Please note that minibuses were inadvertently omitted from the road traffic notice but have now been included on roadside signage. An updated road traffic notice will be issued.”

The ministry spokeswoman said that a study on Harbour Road and truck restrictions had been finished and was under ministerial review.

She said it outlined the vehicles subject to restriction, time frames for restricted access, permit procedures for special deliveries and possible speed deterrent methods.

She said the study, once finalised, will guide future decisions.

She added that the ministry met with police yesterday and they agreed to add the route to their surveillance schedule for the remainder of the notice.

The spokeswoman said: “The ministry has contacted the representatives of the landowners whose private wall was damaged and is now posing a safety concern, requiring the lane closure.

“This was done to initiate discussions on how the wall will be repaired, as well as to seek permission to enter the property as needed for inspection purposes.

“The lane closure will likely stay in place until the repair is completed. We cannot provide a timeline for this at his time.”

The ministry spokeswoman advised any businesses that needed to pass through the area to contact Tina Beer-Searle, the Principal Highways Engineer, on 501-3044 to request passage during off-peak hours.

She said those who contact Ms Beer-Searle should not leave a voice message but text or WhatsApp her instead.