newbridge

More HGV drivers have breached a weight restriction on a 13th Century bridge in Oxfordshire this year than for the whole of 2018, according to the council, which demands firms pay more attention to routeing and signage.

Since an ANPR camera was installed at Newbridge in 2017, over 1,300 lorries have flouted the 18-tonne weight limit and fines and costs totalling more than £30,000 have been issued to drivers and hauliers.

Oxfordshire County Council said there have also been 88 prosecutions, but they were in no-one’s interest and drivers needed to pay more attention to road signage.

The Grade One medieval Newbridge on the A415 is one of the oldest surviving bridges crossing the Thames and was built on the orders of King John.

No vehicles of any kind that have a maximum gross weight of more than 18 tonnes are permitted to cross it.

The council has written directly to companies to inform them of the restriction, but it said it was “extremely disappointed” about the high numbers of contraventions.

Councillor Judith Heathcoat, deputy leader of Oxfordshire County Council said: “There have been more HGV drivers breaching the weight restriction so far this year, than the total for 2018. Those HGV drivers ignoring the weight restriction must pay more attention to their route planning and road signage.”

Earlier this month the RHA criticised councils for requesting powers to tackle HGV drivers that flout weight restrictions.

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