Nationwide construction firm Ashtead Plant Hire has become the first haulier in two years to be prosecuted by Wiltshire Council after breaching Bradford on Avon’s 18-tonne weight restriction.
The court case on 12 March represents the first time a company has been prosecuted since the police took over the administration of the town’s Lorry Watch’s scheme.
The company pleaded guilty to two offences of using Bradford on Avon’s town bridge in contravention of the weight limit on 10 August and 11 September 2017 and it was fined £400 for each offence.
Wiltshire Council was awarded £300 costs and a victim surcharge of £40 also has to be paid, resulting in a total penalty of £1,140.
The case was brought after the police acknowledged that volunteers had become frustrated by a lack of action against hauliers breaching the limit (CM 8 February).
Town councillor Dom Newton said: “Following our recent meeting with Wiltshire Police and Trading Standards, we were aware that several prosecutions were pending, which is good news.
“We remain concerned at the low rate of referral for prosecution, and councillors have agreed to explore other avenues to make sure that the hard work of the volunteers is able to deliver the results that we all want to see.”
Inspector James Brain, said: “Lorry drivers should pay attention to the 18-tonne weight limit and be aware of the consequences when they fail to adhere to the law.”
Previous companies prosecuted for breaching the limit include Eddie Stobart, Geopost UK, Turners (Soham) and UPS.
Ashtead Plant Hire declined to comment.
