FOUR drivers have been fined for driving vehicles that were too heavy for the road.

The Public Protection Partnership (PPP) covers Bracknell Forest, West Berkshire and Wokingham.

It enforces weight restriction orders made under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

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It explained it is an offence to drive a vehicle through a restricted area where the vehicle exceeds the weight limit imposed (unless delivering or collecting items within the weight restriction).

Routine inspections are undertaken on weight restrictions across Bracknell, West Berkshire and Wokingham areas to ensure vehicles are not breaking the law.

PPP officers also undertake routine patrols with Thames Valley Police to check for overweight vehicles on the roads.

The PPP has revealed four recent cases where drivers were fined for breaching weight restrictions.

Case 1

Mill Lane in Newbury is subject to a 7.5 tonne weight restriction to protect local residents on Mill Lane from the industrial area around Hambridge Road and Bone Lane.

On August 7, 2020, a Trading Standards Traffic Enforcement Officer observed a DAF Truck travelling through the weight restriction on Mill Lane. The vehicle had a maximum gross weight of 12 tons.

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At a hearing on the April 9, 2021, the driver pleaded guilty by post and the court fined him £125 and ordered him to pay £175 contribution towards costs and £34 Victim’s Surcharge.

Case 2

Some of the roads in and around Streatley, Berkshire, are subject to an 18 tonne weight restriction to protect the road and local residents.

On July 28, 2020, a Trading Standards Traffic Enforcement Officer observed a Volvo heavy goods vehicle (HGV), travel through the weight restriction on the A329 Wallingford Road, Streatley.

The vehicle had a maximum gross weight of 32 tons.

At a hearing on the April 9, 2021, the driver pleaded guilty by post and the court fined him £125 and ordered him to pay £175 contribution towards costs and £34 Victim’s Surcharge.

Case 3

Separately on Mill Lane, Newbury, on July 28, 2020, a Trading Standards Traffic Enforcement Officer observed a Mercedes HGV travel through the weight restriction.

The vehicle had a maximum gross weight of 32 tons.

At a hearing on the April 9, 2021, the driver pleaded guilty by post and the court fined him £220 and ordered him to pay £175 contribution towards costs and £34 Victim’s Surcharge.

Case 4

Several roads within villages north of the A4 between Newbury and Thatcham are subject to a 7.5 tonne weight restrictions to protect the villages from A4 and M4 traffic. One road in particular known as Cold Ash Hill is protected.

On July 31, 2020, a Trading Standards Traffic Enforcement Officer observed a MAN Truck travel through the weight restriction on Cold Ash Hill. The vehicle had a maximum gross weight of 18 tons.

At a hearing on the April 9, 2021, the driver was found guilty and the court fined him £220 and ordered him to pay £175 contribution towards costs and £34 Victim’s Surcharge.