Drivers fined for breach of weight restrictions - Offences under section 5 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984
The Public Protection Partnership (PPP) enforces weight restriction orders made under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
It is an offence to drive a vehicle through a restricted area where the vehicle exceeds the weight limit imposed (unless delivering or collecting items within the weight restriction). Routine inspections are undertaken on weight restrictions across Bracknell, West Berkshire and Wokingham areas to ensure vehicles are not breaking the law.
PPP officers also undertake routine patrols with Thames Valley Police to check for overweight vehicles on the roads.
Case 1
Part of Kirtons Farm Road, Burghfield, is subject to a 7.5 tonne weight restriction, a distance of approximately 370 metres. This is to protect local residents, the narrow road and amenity of the area from traffic going to the industrial areas nearer Reading (around the Madejski Stadium and M4).
On 9th June 2020 a Trading Standards Traffic Enforcement Officer observed a heavy goods a DAF vehicle (HGV) travel through the weight restriction. The vehicle had a Maximum Gross Weight (MGW) of 32 tons.
At a hearing on the 8th January 2021, the driver was found guilty in their absence and the Court fined him £440 and ordered him to pay £175 contribution towards costs and £44 Victim’s Surcharge.
Case 2
The B4000 (Ermin Street) at Speen, Newbury, is subject to a 7.5 tonne weight restriction. This is to protect the area and amenity along this narrow road.
On the 27th May 2020, a Trading Standards Traffic Enforcement Officer observed a Mercedes-Benz HGV travelling on the B4009 through the weight restriction at Speen.The vehicle had a MGW of 18 tons.
At a hearing on the 8th January 2021, the driver was found guilty in their absence and the Court fined him £440 and ordered him to pay £175 contribution towards costs and £44 Victim’s Surcharge.
Case 3
Later in the day on the 27th May 2020, a Trading Standards Traffic Enforcement Officer again observed a Scania HGV travel through the weight restriction on the B4009 at Speen. The vehicle had a MGW of 32 tons.
At a hearing on the 8th January 2021, the driver was found guilty in their absence and the Court fined him £440 and ordered him to pay £175 contribution towards costs and £44 Victim’s Surcharge.
Case 4
Mill Lane in Newbury is subject to a 7.5 tonne weight restriction to protect local residents on Mill Lane from the industrial area along Hambridge Road and Bone Lane.
On 27th May 2020, a Trading Standards Traffic Enforcement Officer observed a DAF Truck travel through the weight restriction on Mill Lane. The vehicle had a MGW of 14 tons.
At a hearing on the 8th January 2021, the driver pleaded guilty by post and the Court fined him £220 and ordered him to pay £175 contribution towards costs and £34 Victim’s Surcharge.
For more information on weight restriction enforcement work that the PPP undertake see link below:
https://publicprotectionpartnership.org.uk/about-us/campaigns/road-traffic/
