Oxford,
10
June
2016
|
09:00
Europe/London

Trading Standards prosecute drivers for breaching weight restrictions

Summary

Reports from concerned Oxfordshire residents led to Oxford Magistrates fining six drivers for breaching weight restrictions on roads in the county.

Oxfordshire County Council’s Trading Standards team thanked the people who came forward with the information that helped them to bring successful prosecutions against the lorry drivers and promised to investigate all reports from the public

Trading Standards Operations Manager Jody Kerman said: “The majority of our cases now come from concerned members of the public. I think this shows the level of potential harm and disruption that can come from heavy goods vehicles using unsuitable roads. The vast majority of drivers understand and obey weight restriction areas but, those who don’t, not only pose a danger – but also gain a competitive advantage over those who follow the rules.”

Six defendants pleaded guilty by post and one case was withdrawn. The court gave the following fines:

Adam Williams, age 24, Bampton, Oxfordshire (32 tonne, in contravention of the 7.5 tonne weak bridge limit at Charlbury and the 7.5 tonne environmental weight restriction at Charlbury) Date of the offence: 03/11/2015£600 Fine (£300 x 2)£150 Costs£30 Victim SurchargeTotal £780

Daron James Woodley, age 46, Curbridge, Oxfordshire (32 tonne, in contravention of the 7.5 tonne weak bridge limit at Charlbury and the 7.5 tonne environmental weight restriction at Charlbury) Date of the offence: 03/11/2015£600 Fine (£300 x 2)£150 Costs£30 Victim SurchargeTotal £780

Paul Andrew Keogh, age 50, Swindon, Wiltshire (44 tonne, in contravention of the 7.5 tonne weak bridge limit at Charlbury) Date of the offence: 08/12/2015£500 Fine£150 Costs£50 Victim SurchargeTotal £700

Jaskarn Singh, age 23, Slough (32 tonne, in contravention of the 7.5 tonne weak bridge limit at Charlbury) Date of the offence: 10/12/2015£300 Fine£150 Costs£30 Victim SurchargeTotal £480

Darren Graham Watts, age 45, Swindon, Wiltshire (32 tonne, in contravention of the 7.5 tonne weak bridge limit at Charlbury) Date of the offence: 30/10/2015£400 Fine£150 Costs£40 Victim SurchargeTotal £590

Leonard Charles Wood, Newport, age 58, (26 tonne, in contravention of the 18 tonne weak bridge limit at Newbridge) Date of the offence: 22/10/2015£350 Fine£150 Costs£35 Victim SurchargeTotal £535

Jody added: “The Charlbury and Newbridge weight limit is there to protect a ‘weak bridge’, where structural surveys have shown the bridge to be in need of protection from heavy vehicles. Newbridge is a Grade II listed structure and a Scheduled Ancient Monument. We conduct pro-active checks at a number of locations across the county, and investigate all public reports received. “We all appreciate the goods and services that heavy goods vehicles bring and they are a vital part of the economy. With good journey planning, drivers can be sure that they will avoid weight restrictions and keep to suitable roads.

“The Oxfordshire Freight Gateway ( http://freightgateway.co.uk/oxfordshire/ ) linked to the National Freight Journey Planner, is designed to help logistics managers and drivers of large goods vehicles to select the most appropriate routes for their journeys in Oxfordshire.

“Public reports are best made via our website (www.oxfordshire.gov.uk), where there is also guidance on what to look out for, and the information to obtain at the time.”