Drivers fined for overloaded vehicle and breach of weight restrictions
The Public Protection Partnership (PPP) enforces weight restriction orders made under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 as well as the goods vehicles overloading offences under the Road Traffic Act 1988.
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 number 1
Police and PPP Officers conduct joint road traffic enforcement operations across Berkshire from time to time.
On 26th October 2022, officers observed a Mercedes Sprinter van while they were engaged in one of these operations. The vehicle appeared to them to be low on its springs and so was stopped and directed to a weighbridge.
At the weighbridge, the PPP Officer weighed the vehicle and found it was over its maximum permitted gross weight by 720kg (20.57%). The actual gross weight of the vehicle was found to be 4220kg whereas its maximum permitted gross weight was 3500kg.
At Reading Magistrates’ Court, on the 26th May 2023, the driver pleaded guilty and was fined £922 and ordered to pay £180 contribution towards the prosecution costs plus a Victim surcharge of £368.
Case number 2
Part of Kirtons Farm Road, Burghfield is subject to a 7.5 tonne weight restriction, between its junctions with Berrys Lane and Cottage Lane, a distance of approximately 370 metres. This is to protect local residents, the narrow road and amenity of the area from industrial areas nearer Reading (around the football stadium and M4).
On 23rd August 2022, a PPP Enforcement Officer observed a Scania heavy goods vehicle (HGV) travel in an easterly direction in the weight restriction on Kirtons Farm Road. The vehicle had a maximum gross weight of 24 tonnes.
At Reading Magistrates’ Court, on the 26th May 2023, the driver was found guilty and was fined £220 and ordered to pay £180 contribution towards the prosecution costs plus a Victim Surcharge of £88.
Case number 3
Mill Lane in Newbury, Berkshire, is subject to a 7.5 tonne weight restriction. This is to protect local residents on Mill Lane from traffic accessing the industrial area nearby in Hambridge Road and Bone Lane.
On the 29th of September 2022, a PPP Enforcement Officer observed a HGV travelling in an easterly direction along Mill Lane. The vehicle had a maximum gross weight of 18 tonnes.
At Reading Magistrates’ Court, on the 26th May 2023, the driver pleaded guilty and was fined £40 and ordered to pay £180 contribution towards the prosecution costs plus a Victim Surcharge of £16.
Case number 4
On the 15th of September 2022, a PPP Enforcement Officer observed a HGV cross the bridge. The vehicle had a maximum gross weight of 18 tonnes. The maximum permitted gross weight is 7.5 tonnes
At Reading Magistrates’ Court, on the 26th May 2023, the driver was found guilty and was fined £220 and ordered to pay £180 contribution towards the prosecution costs plus a Victims Surcharge of £88.
Case number 5
Again on Sonning Bridge but on the 15th of October 2022, a member of the public observed an HGV cross the bridge. Enquiries were made and the vehicle was found to have a maximum gross weight of 32 tonnes. The maximum permitted gross weight is 7.5 tonnes.
At Reading Magistrates’ Court, on the 26th May 2023, the operator pleaded guilty and was fined £333 and ordered to pay £180 contribution towards the prosecution costs plus a Victim Surcharge of £133.
Case number 6
Skew Bridge, Basildon, Reading, Berkshire, is protected by a 7.5 tonne weight restriction. On the 14th of September 2022, a PPP Traffic Enforcement Officer observed a twin axle vehicle travel through a weight restriction. The vehicle had a maximum gross weight of 12 tonnes.
At Reading Magistrates’ Court, on the 26th May 2023, the driver pleaded guilty and was fined £145 and ordered to pay £90 contribution towards the prosecution costs and a Victims Surcharge of £58.
