South Gloucestershire Council

Published: 24/02/2012

The cases were brought before North Avon Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 January by South Gloucestershire Council after trading standards enforcement officers spotted the vehicles breaching the 7.5 tonne weight limit last year. Four drivers were successfully prosecuted just before Christmas for the same offence on this road.

Stephen Oliver, 49, of Upperfield Close, Redditch in Worcestershire pleaded guilty by post and was fined £175 and ordered to pay costs of £702.66. Mr Oliver also had to pay a £15 victim surcharge for driving his 44 tonne articulated lorry through the restriction on Tuesday 20 September 2011.

David Cole, 47, of Cheltenham Road, Evesham attended court and pleaded guilty to driving his 32 tonne articulated lorry through the weight restriction on Thursday 6 October 2011. Mr Cole was given a six month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £240 costs.

Cllr James Hunt, executive member for communities, said: “These are the second round of prosecutions in recent weeks against drivers ignoring the weight restriction on Station Road. May I remind heavy goods drivers to abide by the road traffic signs and obey the restrictions at all times or you will have to face the consequences.”

Stronger, safer communities manager Mark Pullin added: “Drivers be warned. My officers are continuing their efforts to crackdown on those who flout the weight restriction imposed on Station Road in Yate. We do this in partnership with the police so it is not something we take lightly. Drivers who continue to ignore the traffic signs do so at their own risk but it can result in prosecution and a hefty fine, and does not look good to an employer.”