South Gloucestershire Council

Published: 04/11/2014

A Kingswood company and one its drivers were fined a total of over £3500 at North Avon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 30 October for breaching an environmental weight restriction.

Goldmark Scaffolding Ltd of Kingswood along with one of its drivers, 26-year-old Lewis Winkworth, of Soundwell Road, Bristol pleaded guilty to breaching the 7.5 tonnes heavy commercial vehicle environmental weight restriction on the A432 Station Road in Yate. The court heard that on Wednesday 2 April 2014 Mr Winkworth drove one of Goldmark Scaffolding’s 18 tonne Mercedes trucks through the 7.5 tonnes weight restriction, stopping only to use a cash machine.

Between them they were fined £920 with an order for costs totalling £2552.46, and they also incurred a victim surcharge of £50 and £42 respectively, bringing the total amount to £3564.46.

Also appearing before the Magistrate was Mark Stainsby, 47, of Lockleaze, Bristol. Mr Stainsby attended court in person and pleaded guilty to driving a 26 tonne refuse collection vehicle through the same weight restricted area on Tuesday 27 May 2014. He was fined £235, order to pay £300 in costs and pay a victim surcharge of £23, totalling £558.

Cllr Claire Young, Chair of Communities Committee, said: “Local residents fought hard for the weight restriction on Station Road and it’s important to support their efforts by prosecuting drivers who ignore it. Warning signs are clearly displayed around Yate and drivers must comply with the law.”

Strong, Safer Communities Manager Mark Pullin said: “Trading Standards officers continue to enforce weight restrictions within the authority. Where there are clear breaches of a vehicle weight restriction, council officers will investigate and take appropriate action.
“These penalties given by the Magistrate should demonstrate to lorry drivers the need to pay attention to regulatory signs which apply to the size of vehicle they are driving.”

Members of the public can report any vehicle seen contravening a South Gloucestershire weight restriction by calling the Citizen’s Advice Consumer Services telephone number on 03454 040506.