Mark Whitehead 29 May 2018

Council chiefs demand more powers to tackle problem lorry drivers

Council leaders have demanded new powers to stop lorry drivers causing damage to roads by ignoring weight restrictions.

They say the police often lack the resources to enforce restrictions on the weight, height or width of vehicles that are banned from minor roads.

The Local Government Association (LGA) says powers already given to councils in Wales should be extended to the rest of the country.

It says between 2011 and 2016, the number of fines for ignoring restrictions has fallen by a third despite an increase in the number of heavy goods lorries, while villages and rural communities have suffered huge disruption.

The LGA wants councils to be able to issue fines to any heavy haulage lorry driver who ignores road restrictions and says the money collected could be used to tackle the nation’s £9.3bn pothole backlog.

LGA transport spokesman Martin Tett said: 'If a community is being plagued by problems at an accident blackspot, councils should be able to respond to their concerns by issuing fines to act as a deterrent.'

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