Prosecution serves as a reminder to HGV drivers

Shropshire Council’s public protection service is reminding HGV drivers of their legal obligation not to drive down roads or across bridges where there are restrictions prohibiting HGVs from doing so, unless they are required to make a delivery to premises located within the restricted areas. 

The advice follows a successful prosecution at a court hearing on Wednesday 10 July 2013 where Shropshire Council brought a case against a 39-year-old driver, Christopher Barraclough from Sheffield. 

Mr Barraclough had previously entered a not guilty plea to driving his 32 tonne HGV down London Road, Shrewsbury, which has a 7.5 tonne weight restriction in place claiming that he had not driven down this road despite the evidence provided to him. 

Mr Barraclough failed to attend the Magistrates Court trial on 10 July 2013 and was sentenced to a £400 fine, with costs of £230 awarded to Shropshire Council in his absence. 

Frances Darling, Shropshire Council’s service manager for safer and stronger communities within public protection, said:

“On 1 October 2012, a public protection officer witnessed the 32-tonne vehicle being driven down the 7.5 tonne weight restriction on London Road.  Follow up enquiries determined that Mr Barraclough was the driver of the vehicle, although he denied travelling along the road in question.  We were left with no option but to institute legal proceedings.” 

Public protection investigation officers recommend that HGV drivers adopt the following guidelines to avoid breaching weight restrictions in the Shropshire area:- 

• Plan your route in advance
• Find out if the business to which you are delivering is located within a weight restricted area; if it is, establish the safest and most practical route to take
• Ask the business you are delivering to for a recommended route in writing
• If you are delivering to a resident, make enquiries with the council to establish an appropriate route
• Look out for and follow the instructions displayed on weight restriction signs
• Ensure you understand the meaning of the weight restriction signs
• Avoid areas where the signs are displayed unless you are sure that your delivery is to a location within the restricted area
• Do not rely on Sat Navs or members of the public for directions
• If you are an employed driver, encourage your employer to adopt this advice countrywide.   

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for public protection, added:

“Weight restrictions are in place on a wide range of roads and bridges across Shropshire. The reasons for the restrictions are varied.  They include protecting the roads, bridges and surrounding buildings from a structural perspective, protecting the local community by, for example, ensuring pedestrians remain safe around schools and colleges, reducing the detrimental effects on health that may arise from excessive exhaust fumes and also protecting the overall environment.  I strongly urge HGV drivers to pay particular attention to the weight restriction signs and to follow the advice given by public protection in order to avoid breaching the orders that exist across Shropshire and the rest of the country.”

Shropshire Council encourages individuals and businesses to contact its public protection service on 0345 678 9000 if they have any suspicions that offences may be being committed.  Information can be given anonymously and will always be treated in line with the council’s information governance policies.

Further advice on weight restrictions can be obtained from the investigations team within public protection on 0345 678 9000, or general advice can be found on our website here.