MORE than 100 HGV drivers have been ticketed after ignoring a ruling not to use a narrow and historic road in the heart of a borough town.

Earlier this year Thurrock Council positioned a static camera with a view of Church Hill in Stanford-le-Hope, one of a number installed across the borough on roads where excessive lorry traffic was causing concern.

Church Hill wends its way between St Margaret's Church and the Rising Sun and Railway Tavern pubs, between the junctions with High Street and King Street.

History surrounds Church Hill.

St Margaret's is a Grade I-listed building and its oldest, including the nave, date back to around 1180. Both the pubs have history that goes back beyond the mid 19^th century.

In a bid to cut down on the impact of increasing traffic, the council decided to enforce a weight restriction that had largely been ignored, particularly by HGV traffic from the Stanhope Industrial Park turning left out of Wharf Road rather than down the permitted Corringham Road, or accessing it via London Road and Church Hill in the other direction.

Shortly after the Church Hill camera was installed in February it was targeted by vandals and put out of action. However, following its restoration the council first implemented a three-month period when warnings were issued – then started rolling out the tickets.

There has been a noticeable decline in through traffic as a result and a spokesperson for Thurrock Council said: "We can confirm that the camera is working and since the start there have been 282 warnings and 111 penalty charge notices issued thanks to the camera.

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"It is important to remember that some vehicles legitimately require access to this area to make permitted deliveries to both businesses and residents."