Drivers have been warned of plans to introduce new traffic enforcement across a major town to stop HGVs from breaking new restrictions in place.
Surrey County Council has revealed it is considering introducing Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras across 10 roads in Weybridge to help crack down on the number of drivers who ignore the HGV weight restrictions.
The cameras would see lorry drivers face fines for driving down roads which have restrictions on vehicles weighing over 18 tonnes.
The limits have been in place since November last year when the council introduced an Experimental Order under Sections 9 and 10 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
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Surrey County Council introduced an 18 tonne weight restriction on roads
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But despite the weight restriction being in place, hundreds of HGVs have been caught flouting the rules, which has prompted the council to act.
The local authority has launched an online consultation, which will run until May 19, with the council then taking the feedback into consideration before rolling out the cameras.
The consultation detailed: "Surrey County Council has installed an experimental environmental weight restriction on various roads in Weybridge. This is in response to concerns raised by residents.
"These concerns are regarding the unsuitability and safety of heavy commercial vehicles travelling on particular roads in Weybridge, and where the passing of this type of traffic has a detrimental effect on residents living along the route. Alternative routes are considered to exist that are more appropriate to carry heavy commercial vehicles."
According to the authority, the roads which could see new cameras include Brooklands Road, between Wellington Way and Hanger Hill, as well as Heath Road, Church Street and St George's Avenue.
Other roads include Egerton Road, Gower Road, Cavendish Road, Old Avenue and Ellesmere Road. Last year, Benjamin Spencer, Conservative MP for Runnymede and Weybridge, took to social media to call on the council to introduce restrictions for HGVs.
He posted: "I have seen for myself and heard from so many constituents and community groups in recent months about the negative impact that HGV traffic is having on their lives; from the noise and air pollution this causes, to safety concerns, and the congestion on key roads around the Runnymede and Weybridge Constituency.
"I hope that a ban is brought in soon, and I plan to meet with companies whose HGVs are the main cause of traffic and inappropriate use of our small roads."
He added that while he welcomed the progress on tackling the problem in Weybridge, he wanted to see similar plans to tackle inappropriate use of HGVs on small roads in other areas of the constituency.
"I will continue to work with SCC and, where relevant, National Highways, to monitor and improve the situation for residents in other HGV traffic hotspots and Keep Runnymede and Weybridge Moving," he shared.
But in response to the proposed enforcement measures, many drivers, particularly HGV operators, have been left furious. One person shared: "As an HGV driver I find this ridiculous. If you don’t want HGVs on your roads, then stop buying stuff.
"As professional drivers, we do not generally speed as this is our livelihood and wish to keep our licences."
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The changes would see Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras put in place across major roads
TRANSPORT SCOTLANDAnother person warned that the restrictions would just move traffic to other parts of the town, with traffic then subsequently being built up elsewhere.
"Banning such vehicles from roads would close down many businesses or simply move those vehicles to other roads," the shared.
