New scheme introduced to crack down on illegal lorries travelling through Tetbury (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

New scheme introduced to crack down on illegal lorries travelling through Tetbury

THE FIERCE battle to crackdown on lorries travelling illegally through Tetbury is about to get tougher.

Tetbury Town Council has agreed to take part in a 'Lorry Watch' scheme set up by Gloucestershire Trading Standards.

The scheme aims to reduce the number of heavy lorries that do not have permits using weight restricted routes in Tetbury - a high priority area.

Tetbury Mayor Tony Stowell said: "Traffic is getting heavier and people are getting more concerned.

"I understand lorries have got to have somewhere to go or need to unload but it makes it extremely difficult when you have a town that was not built with lorries in mind."

Many of the weight restrictions in the town are to some extent ignored and the solution would be a bypass, added Mr Stowell.

The scheme will be operated by local volunteers. Members of the town council have already volunteered to take part and CRAG (Charlton Road Action Group) will also be supporting the project.

Volunteers will be trained by Trading Standards to act as observers who will report lorries they suspect of using weight restricted routes illegally, via their local co-ordinator.

Trading Standards then investigate who the operator and drivers were and whether they were in fact acting illegally. Drivers may then face a fine.

Tetbury is expected to try the scheme over a six months period for a fewhours each week, but discussions are still taking place.

The scheme has been extended to high priority areas around Gloucestershire following a successful pilot with Mitcheldean Parish Council last year.

The scheme, which is expected to be phased in this summer, will initially run for three years at 12 locations in Gloucestershire. If successful it may continue beyond this period.

Councillor Jeremy Hilton, portfolio holder for the county council's community services, said: "Heavy lorries illegally using routes through some of our towns and villages are both a nuisance and cause environmental damage.

"We are keen to work local communities to ensure that only those vehicles that have a right to be there, such as delivery or emergency vehicles use the routes."

An 17-tonne weight limit in Long Street, Church Street and London Road in Tetbury came into effect in 1999. Permits are granted to companies if they fulfil a strict criteria and are based within a three mile radius of the town or if there is no alternative route.