HGV driver fined for breaching weight limit

A LORRY driver has been ordered to pay more than £600 for breaching the weight restriction in Watlington.

John David Watson, 45, from Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, was spotted driving a 44-tonne lorry through the town, in contravention of the 7.5-tonne limit, on July 8 last year.

He was reported by residents and prosecuted by Oxfordshire County Council’s trading standards department.

Watson was fined £440 and ordered to pay £130 costs and a £44 victim surcharge at Oxford Magistrates’ Court last week.

Trading standards operations manager Jody Kerman said: “Weight restrictions are there for very good reasons — either to protect bridges that have become structurally weakened, or because the use of particular roads by heavy goods vehicles is not suitable.



“Many of these weight restrictions have been in place for some time now and we ensure that they are clearly signposted, with alternative routes being available to drivers.

“The vast majority of drivers understand why these restrictions are in place and respect them, planning their routes accordingly. 

“However, for those who don’t, we work closely with members of the local community to ensure our enforcement action is  proportionate.”