Norbert Dentressangle and Wrings Transport have been prosecuted for a second time after breaching a weight restriction in Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire.

The companies were among eight operators hauled before Chippenham magistrates last month after breaking the 18-tonne ban over a bridge in the town, plus a 7.5-tonne weight restriction in nearby Westbury.

Both restrictions are monitored by local volunteers under Lorry Watch schemes.

Wrings Transport in Gloucestershire was prosecuted in June and then appeared again before Magistrates on November 24 for a further two offences. It was fined a total of £1,320 and made to pay costs of £200 plus a £66 victim surcharge.

On the same day, Norbert Dentressangle were fined £660 for one offence and ordered to pay costs of £200 and a £66 victim surcharge.

Wrings MD Stuart Wring admitted that there was “no excuse” for the mistake:

“Bradford on Avon is a very nasty place to be sending artics. The restrictions are clearly marked out, you shouldn’t take artics there. It’s our drivers’ stupidity and ignorance.”

Wring said none of the drivers now worked for the firm, although they were not dismissed for breaching the weight limit.

He added: “One was only here one day, he was an agency driver.”

Norbert Dentressangle did not respond.

Wiltshire Council said it hoped the action sent “a very clear message to haulage companies”.

The other operators prosecuted were: JMP Wilcox & Co; BWS (Kent); Tincknell Fuels; Kyles Transport Services; Atchison Topeka Transport and Hopkins Concrete (Somerset).

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