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
Overladen Operation with Thames Valley Police on 22/01/2020. Mercedes Sprinter van taken to Public Weigh Bridge in Membury and found to have 960kg excess on the gross weight, 150kg excess on the front axle and 410 kg excess on the rear axle.
At the hearing on 15/01/2021 the driver plead guilty and was fined £100 by the court, ordered him to pay £175 contribution towards costs and £32 Victim’s Surcharge.
The company plead guilty, the court fined the company £1000 and ordered them to pay £175 contribution towards costs and £100 Victim’s Surcharge.
Case 2
Overladen Operation with Thames Valley Police on 22/01/2020. Ford Transit van taken to Public Weigh Bridge in Membury and found to have 660kg excess on the gross weight and 190 kg excess on the rear axle.
At the hearing on 15/01/2021 the driver plead guilty and was fined £50 by the court, ordered him to pay £32 Victim’s Surcharge.
Case 3
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 17th of January 2020, a Trading Standards Traffic Enforcement Officer observed a MAN HGV travelling on the B4009 through the weight restriction at Speen. The vehicle had a MGW of 26 tons.
At a hearing on the 15th January 2021, the driver was found guilty in their absence and the Court fined him £100 and ordered him to pay £175 contribution towards costs and £32 Victim’s Surcharge.
Case 4
On the 13th of February 2020, a Trading Standards Traffic Enforcement Officer observed a HGV travel through the 18 ton weight restriction on the Wallingford Road in Streatley. The vehicle had a MGW of 32 tons.
At a hearing on the 8th January 2021, the driver attended court and plead guilty and the Court fined him £100 and ordered him to pay £175 contribution towards costs and £32 Victim’s Surcharge.
Case 5
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 22nd August 2019, a Trading Standards Traffic Enforcement Officer observed a HGV travel through the weight restriction on Mill Lane. The vehicle had a MGW of 32 tons.
At a hearing on the 15th January 2021, the driver pleaded guilty by post and the Court fined him £500 and ordered him to pay £175 contribution towards costs and £32 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/
