Police catch HGV drivers illegally travelling in restricted areas

A variety of Reading and West Berkshire villages are considered to have bridges and roads that cannot stand heavy and overweight vehicles without causing damage.

This has forced Thames Valley Police and The Public Protection Partnership officers to undertake regular patrols throughout these areas.

On Friday, October 13, four drivers appeared in Reading Magistrates Court and pled guilty to illegally breaking the weight restrictions on the Berkshire roads/bridges.

Below are the drivers who were fined.

February 15

Location: Mill Lane, Newbury

Fine: £115. Ordered to pay a £180 contribution towards prosecution costs and a victim’s surcharge of £46.

The man was driving the heavy goods vehicle which had a gross weight 18 tonnes. Mill lane is subject to a 7.5-tonne weight restriction. This is to protect local residents on Mill Lane from the industrial industry nearby in Hambridge Road and Bone Lane

February 16

Location: Langley Hill, Tilehurst

Fine: £666. Ordered to pay a £180 contribution towards the prosecution costs and a victim surcharge of £266.

An HGV driver was caught by a PPP Road Traffic Enforcement Officer and observed an HGV with a Maximum Gross Weight was 32 tonnes. Langley Hill is subject to a 7.5-tonne weight restriction.

February 20

Location: A478 Sonning bridge over the River Thames.

Fine: £198. Ordered to pay a £180 contribution towards prosecution costs and £79 victim’s surcharge.

This bridge is considered ‘weak’ according to recent surveys.

A member of the public observed the HGV driver travel through the weight restriction of the bridge.

The bridge has a restriction of 7.5 tonnes and the gross maximum weight of the HGV was 18 tonnes.

March 8

Location: Church Road, Aldermaston

Fine: £146. Ordered to pay £180 prosecution costs and £58 victim surcharge.

The HGV driver traveled through an area with a weight restriction of 7.5 tonnes and the HGV had a maximum revenue weight of 12 tonnes.