UPS, DFDS Logistics and GeoPost were one of 13 firms and a driver collectively fined more than £13,000 this summer after breaching the weight restriction on Bradford-on-Avon’s town bridge.

Between 23 June and 28 July, 13 companies and one driver appeared before Magistrates in Swindon after breaching the 18-tonne weight restriction on the bridge.

Each operator faced an average fine, plus costs, of £950.

Since the town’s Lorry Watch scheme was launched in 2012, local volunteers have been monitoring vehicles infringing the weight limit and reporting them to Trading Standards.

Keith Humphries, Wiltshire council’s cabinet member for public protection, said: “If you ignore the signs you are going to get caught.”

A GeoPost spokesman confirmed that one of its vehicles breached the restriction and added: “Action has now been taken, with the route being altered and procedures put in place to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”

UPS responded: "We can confirm that one of its vehicles was in breach of a weight restriction over Bradford on Avon’s town bridge on the 22nd October 2013, due in part to an unforeseen road diversion. Measures have been taken to help avoid similar incidents in future. Safety throughout the organisation, especially road safety, is of the utmost importance to UPS."

Norbert Dentressangle was fined for breaking the same weight restriction in 2013.

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