New scheme bids to curb lorry menace
New
schemes which aim to put the brakes on Heavy Goods Vehicles
rumbling through narrow lanes in two Nottinghamshire
villages have been launched today (Tuesday 11 October 2011).
Nottinghamshire County Council is working with Parish Councils
in Langar cum Barnstone and Cropwell Bishop to launch Community
Lorry Watch schemes in the villages.
Under the
scheme, residents will record the details of any vehicles
travelling through their village which they believe are over the
legal weight limit for the roads.Trading
Standards Officers from Nottinghamshire County Council compile
the information and investigate the reports with the Vehicle
Operating Services Agency.
The intelligence is also used to co-ordinate future enforcement action in the villages by Trading Standards Officers. Any drivers who breach HGV weight restrictions may either be warned or prosecuted and could face a fine of up to £1,000, plus court costs.
Following
a preliminary enforcement day at Langar cum Barnstone and
Cropwell Bishop by Nottinghamshire County Council Trading
Standards Officers, two drivers were cautioned and a further
five are still under investigation.Further
enforcement days in both villages took place today.
The
villages were selected for the scheme after the Parish Councils
reported a number of sightings of HGVs. Local residents have
been filing reports for the last 12 months, demonstrating their
commitment to the scheme and the severity of the problem.
Alan Wilson, Chairman of Cropwell Bishop Parish Council said, "HGVs have been using Cropwell Bishop as a cut through to the industrial estate at Langar for some time and it is something that is of great concern to local residents."
Rod Whitehead of Langar cum Barnstone Parish Council added, "Residents have rightly been drawing to our attention for a period of time now the number of large lorries that use the weight restricted minor roads as shortcuts, creating both a nuisance in small villages and potential hazard on narrow country lanes. With the support of the local community and in collaboration with Nottinghamshire County Council there is now a clear strategy to encourage these large vehicles to use the appropriate route to their destination."
Nottinghamshire County Council already oversees Community Lorry
Watch schemes in Coddington, Papplewick and Linby where they
have proven to reduce the number of HGVs breaching weight
restrictions.
Councillor Mick Murphy Cabinet Member for Community Safety at Nottinghamshire County Council said, "Community Lorry Watch Schemes adopt a partnership approach between the County Council and local residents, who act as our eyes and ears on the street."
The weight restrictions on the county's roads are in place for very good reasons - many of the roads are narrow and totally unsuitable for vehicles of that size. Big lorries squeezing along narrow roads can be very intimidating - not to mention dangerous - for pedestrians and other motorists The County Council hopes to launch further Community Lorry Watch Schemes in other towns and villages across the county this year.
To report a lorry which you think may be breaching weight restrictions on any Nottinghamshire Road, complete the form on the County Council's website at
https://secure.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/traffic-and-travel/lorry-watch/