A weighty matter. Police accept responsibility to act in the wake of HGV breaches of weight limit in residential area and now call for more people to report offenders

By Neil Speight 10th Aug 2021

RESIDENTS concerned that persistent breaches of weight restrictions by lorries are being ignored have been told their concerns are now recognised and that an investigation into why so many vehicles are being seen flouting regulations is underway.

People who live on or close to London Road (A126) in West Thurrock, to the west of the junction with Devonshire Road and the east of the entrance to the Magnet Industrial estate, say their lives are blighted by the high number of HGS on the road breaking the 7.5 ton weight limit.

They say they have complained consistently about the problems but their words fall on deaf ears.

One resident, from Gumley Close which is one the many small residential roads accessed from London Road, summed up the situation to Nub News.

He said: "There is a clear 7.5 ton weight limit but it is regularly broken. There are lorries turning right out of Devonshire at the lights on London Road all the time – and it is clear they are not just using the road for access but cutting through. It's the same the other side next to Magnet Road.

"There are fuel tankers and other lorries coming out of Askews Farm Lane and going along London Road.

"There is nowhere along London Road in the weight limit restriction area where fuel or containers could be delivered to.

"I have rung Grays police about who I should report the lorries to and they said Thurrock Council. Who said it's up to the police. But nothing happens."

The resident has confirmed his allegations with a large number of pictures of HGVs in the restricted area.

A spokesperson for Thurrock Council told Nub News it was not the authority's responsibility to carry out enforcement.

And Essex Police, after Thurrock Nub News brought the matter to their attention, have now conceded it is their responsibility. A statement from the force says: "We have received some reports of breaches of the weight limits and are investigating.

"Where there is a clear risk to people's safety or risk of damage to road structures, we will look to carry out enforcement action and engage with persistent offenders.

"Where there are incidents causing a nuisance and affecting residents' quality of life, we will work with our partners to address these issues.

"We ask people to please report breaches to us via this link..

     

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