Who enforces weight restrictions?

Supersonos

On my journey to work is an old, narrow bridge (Water End, Hemel Hempstead).  For about half a mile there is a ban for goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes, except for access.  I'm guessing by access it means if something larger than 7.5 tonnes needs to visit a property within the restricted area?

Daily, I see 32 ton tipper lorries going over the bridge and carrying on their way.  Who would enforce this?  Because if it's the police, that's simply never going to happen.  The lorries are out of the restricted zone less than a minute after they entered it.

Belenus

According to some of these links, the Police are responsible for enforcing the weight limit.

I suggest that you contact the relevant Police force, Police Commissioner, Local or Parish Council, local newspapers etc and kick up a stink about it and hope that some action is taken.

facade

Complain to the council. If it happens at particular times, they might drag a Policeman around and stop them. It is a Police matter, but I think it falls under trading standards for civil enforcement, but only the Police can stop a vehicle.

Weight restrictions "with access" are very difficult to enforce, as the driver simply claims they are delivering.

Car_54

If the signs are mandatory (red circle) then it's a criminal matter and the police are responsible.

Supersonos

Belenus said:

According to some of these links, the Police are responsible for enforcing the weight limit.

I suggest that you contact the relevant Police force, Police Commissioner, Local or Parish Council, local newspapers etc and kick up a stink about it and hope that some action is taken.

Thanks for the info.  I'm not really looking to kick-up a stink, just intrigued.

But I did go to Halpin and Halpin Haulage's website (it's always their lorries I see ignoring the HGV ban, and the one I followed this morning was doing 60mph in a NSL and disappeared into the distance in a 30 zone - easily doing 45-50mph) but the website doesn't work saying their account has been suspended!

Supersonos

Car_54 said:

If the signs are mandatory (red circle) then it's a criminal matter and the police are responsible.

Yes, they're in a red circle.

Anyone know what the penatly would be?  Always amazed when professional drivers ignore the rules of the road.

Car_54

Supersonos said:

Car_54 said:

If the signs are mandatory (red circle) then it's a criminal matter and the police are responsible.

Yes, they're in a red circle.

Anyone know what the penatly would be?  Always amazed when professional drivers ignore the rules of the road.

3 points and a fine. Probably dealt with by a fixed penalty (£100).

AdrianC

The correct answer here is "VOSA". If there's an operator abusing weight limits like this, then they'll be very interested, and the operator could lose their licence.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/report-a-lorry-bus-or-coach-driver-or-company

With that stretch of road, it's not just about weight - it's mostly about large vehicles using that narrow bridge on the S-bends. It's the full near-mile stretch between junctions that's subject to the weight limit, so they could be accessing any of the properties along there. But... they're probably taking the mickey and using it as a shortcut to save quite a lot of time and distance 

SteveJW

Write anonymously to

The Traffic Commissioners

Hillcrest House
386 Harehills Lane
Leeds
LS9 6NF
United Kingdom

They take infringements such as this very seriously

Most vehicles over 7,500kg require an Operators Licence, the Commissioners issue these and have the powers to fine of in extreme situations suspend / rescind

Car_54

AdrianC said:

The correct answer here is "VOSA". If there's an operator abusing weight limits like this, then they'll be very interested, and the operator could lose their licence.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/report-a-lorry-bus-or-coach-driver-or-company

With that stretch of road, it's not just about weight - it's mostly about large vehicles using that narrow bridge on the S-bends. It's the full near-mile stretch between junctions that's subject to the weight limit, so they could be accessing any of the properties along there. But... they're probably taking the mickey and using it as a shortcut to save quite a lot of time and distance 

VOSA ceased to exist some years ago. It's now DVSA.

greyteam1959

SteveJW said:

Write anonymously to

The Traffic Commissioners

Hillcrest House
386 Harehills Lane
Leeds
LS9 6NF
United Kingdom

They take infringements such as this very seriously

Most vehicles over 7,500kg require an Operators Licence, the Commissioners issue these and have the powers to fine of in extreme situations suspend / rescind

Ask your neighbours / friends / local council to write in as well.
I would also send a strongly worded letter and or email to the company informing them that you are reporting them to the relevant authorities.