On Thursday, villagers took turns to count and classify all the traffic which passed through central hotspots in both areas.

Hartford parish Clr Jack Loader said: "We usually conduct a survey every two years, but this time Weaverham were doing one as well, so we should learn a great deal more about how we are affected by cars and lorries."

The Hartford survey was conducted between 6am and 10pm, at Bradburns Lane, School Lane and Chester Road.

The good news for Hartford villagers is that the number of heavy lorries is still on the decrease - a trend that Clr Loader attributes to a weight restriction which was imposed on Bradburns Lane in 1980.

But a yearly surge in cars and motorbikes has helped to bring last Thursday's total to 34,174 vehicles - in Hartford alone.

"There seems to be more traffic coming out of Northwich through Hartford than going in," added Clr Loader.

"The parish council is still working to identify the trends, but it seems reasonable to suggest that's because of the Town Bridge closure."

Hartford councillors will submit the survey as part of their campaign against plans for 300 new homes on the Grange Farm estate at Vale Royal Borough Council in December.

In Weaverham, volunteers monitored Wallerscote Road near the Ring o' Bells pub, and High Street.

As the Guardian went to press last night, Tuesday, Weaverham Traffic Action Group was meeting to assess the results.

Group member Roy Owen said: "We will be ready with a full statement a little later in the week, but for our first full survey, we have had a lot of success - thanks to the people who helped out."

Barnton Parish Council also hopes to launch its own traffic survey before the end of the year.

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