Another driver has been prosecuted for driving his 15 tonne HGV through the 7.5 tonne environmental weight limit in Easter Compton and Pilning in South Gloucestershire.
The driver, Michael Christopher Bate of Bridgwater, Somerset pleaded guilty by post to North Avon Magistrates’ Court, but offered no explanation why he chose to drive through the weight restriction and on Tuesday 5th October 2010 was fined £115 and ordered to pay costs of £478 plus a £15 victim surcharge.
Bate was seen driving his vehicle through the weight restriction in the villages whilst en-route to Western Approach Distribution Park on Wednesday 21st April 2010 by an enforcement officer from South Gloucestershire Council trading standards who was in the area at the time.
Cllr Heather Goddard, executive member for community services, said: “This is the third prosecution of a driver in recent weeks who has failed to obey the weight limit in Easter Compton and Pilning. Advance warning signage in the area is clear to truck drivers and they should adhere to the weight restriction through the villages.”
Trading standards and licensing manager, Mark Pullin said: “My officers in partnership with the Police regularly conduct enforcement checks to ensure drivers of HGVs do not breach the weight limits in South Gloucestershire. Drivers should comply with the weight limits imposed on roads and bridges, if they do not understand the requirements they should refresh their knowledge of the Highway Code.”
Source: South Gloucestershire Council
