IN the first week following the introduction of new restrictions which prevent lorries from parking in the Fort Road and the Tilbury Riverside car park in Tilbury, enforcement officers have issued nine penalty charge notices to drivers ignoring the rules.

Cabinet member for highways Cllr Ben Maney,said: "Heavy goods vehicles were using this approach road and car park as an unofficial rest stop and as well as creating access issues were causing damage to the road and car park surface, which was not designed to take vehicles over 7.5 tonnes

"We introduced new rules and are enforcing them to prevent this ongoing damage, which is ultimately something Thurrock Council taxpayers have to foot the bill for.

"There are several places where drivers can legitimately rest in and around Tilbury, so there is no need for anyone to use this road and car park. Enforcement action like that we have seen in the last week will make sure that the road and public car park are kept clear of lorries and does not suffer further damage."

In the first six days of the introduction of the new rules preventing heavy goods vehicle waiting in Fort Road and the car park enforcement officers have carried out 13 patrols and issued nine penalty charge notices to drivers who flouted the rules.

The council says additional patrols will continue to focus on Fort Road and car park to ensure the no waiting prohibition is obeyed.

Cllr Ben Maney has again welcomed the results from a crackdown on HGV parking

It is the second time this year that Cllr Maney has trumpted the 'success' on the council's war of attrition again HGV drivers parked up across the borough./

In June he reported on 1,590 penalty charge notices being issued against lorry drivers which brought in £84,984 in fines.

""Now HGV drivers coming from all over know they have to follow the rules when entering Thurrock or face the consequences" he said at the time.

More information about the no waiting prohibition in Fort Road and the Tilbury Riverside car park can be found on the Thurrock Council website at: thurrock.gov.uk/public-notices/worlds-end-car-park-and-entrance-road-0