The Public Protection Partnership (PPP) has successfully prosecuted several drivers for weight restriction orders 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.
The successful prosecutions include:
Case 91025
On 15 February 2023, a PPP Road Traffic Enforcement Officer observed a MAN heavy goods vehicles (HGV) travel through the weight restriction on Mill Lane. The vehicle had a maximum gross weight of 18 tonnes.
Mill Lane in Newbury, Berkshire, is subject to a 7.5 tonne weight restriction. This is to protect local residents on Mill Lane from the industrial area nearby in Hambridge Road and Bone Lane.
At Reading Magistrates’ Court, on 13 October 2023, the HGV’s driver pleaded guilty and was fined £115, ordered to pay £180 contribution towards the prosecution costs, and to pay a Victim’s Surcharge of £46.
Case 91035
On 16 February 2023, a PPP Road Traffic Enforcement Officer observed a HGV travelling through a weight restriction on Langley Hill in Tilehurst. Langley Hill is subject to a 7.5 tonne weight restriction and the HGV’s maximum revenue weight or Maximum Gross Weight was 32 tonnes.
At Reading Magistrates’ Court, on 13 October 2023, the HGV’s operator pleaded guilty and was fined £666, ordered to pay £180 contribution towards the prosecution costs, and to pay a Victim’s Surcharge of £266.
Case 91466
On 8 March 2023, a PPP Road Traffic Enforcement Officer observed a travel through a weight restriction on Church Road, Aldermaston which is subject to a 7.5 tonne weight restriction. the HGV’s maximum revenue weight or Maximum Gross Weight was 12 tonnes.
At Reading Magistrates’ Court, on 13 October 2023, the driver of the HGV pleaded guilty and was fined £146, ordered to pay £180 contribution towards the prosecution costs, and to pay a Victim’s Surcharge of £58.
Case 92531
On 16 March 2023, a PPP Road Traffic Enforcement Officer observed a MAN HGV travel through the weight restriction on the bridge. The vehicle had a maximum gross weight of 18 tonnes.
The Skew Bridge is a railway bridge for road users travelling on the A329, Basildon, Berkshire, and is a narrow one way bridge subject to a 7.5 tonne weight restriction.
At Reading Magistrates’ Court, on 13 October 2023, the driver pleaded guilty and was fined £224 and ordered him to pay £180 contribution towards the prosecution costs, and to pay a Victim’s Surcharge of £90.
Case 92534
On 16 March 2023, a PPP Road Traffic Enforcement Officer observed a Renault HGV travel through the weight restriction. The vehicle had a maximum gross weight of 26 tonnes.
The A329 Wallingford Road is subject to a 18 tonnes weight restriction either side of Streatley Farm near the village of Streatley. The purpose of the Order is to preserve or improve amenities of the area by restriction the road’s use by HGVs.
At Reading Magistrates’ Court, on 13 October 2023, the driver of the HGV pleaded guilty and was fined £187, ordered to pay £180 contribution towards the prosecution costs, and to pay a Victim’s Surcharge of £75.
