Drivers of a popular vehicle-type have been found flouting restrictions across a northeastern region, with police now stepping up patrols and warning they will evoke legal powers as a deterrent.
It comes after reports found that several HGV drivers have been ignoring the 7.5T weight restriction along Westgate Road in Belton, Lincolnshire.
The restrictions are in place towards Sandtoft Industrial Estate with Humberside Police stating that keeping the rules in place "remains one of our top priorities as part of the local Policing team".
Officers reported that despite clear signage, heavy goods vehicles frequently use the route as a shortcut, prompting numerous complaints from residents.
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This issue mirrors similar problems faced in other UK villages, where large vehicles pose safety hazards on narrow roads not designed for heavy traffic.
Humberside Police have now adopted a "zero-tolerance" approach to address growing concerns. Clear signage has been installed on both off slips of the M180 at Junction 2, as well as at either end of the restriction along Westgate Road, stipulating "except for access".
Despite this, drivers typically from outside the area have been claiming they are "following the sat nav" or using "access" as an excuse to reach the industrial estate.
Police have clarified that the "access" sign only permits deliveries to the residential area, such as furniture deliveries. "As a professional driver, the expectation is that said driver is looking at the appropriate signage that is in place, and taking the correct route," a police spokesperson said.
The situation in Belton echoes problems faced by residents in North Cave, East Yorkshire, where HGVs continue to drive through the village despite prohibition signs.
Kathy Cox, a North Cave resident, told the BBC in March she was "flabbergasted" that lorries over 7.5 tonnes still used the main road through her village as a shortcut. "At every entry point to this village, there are signs that say it's not acceptable, but no one seems to listen," she said.
Her husband, David Cox, reported seeing large lorries taking tight turns at local junctions near their property. East Riding of Yorkshire Council confirmed North Cave has an existing 7.5 tonne weight limit except for access.
Cox expressed serious safety concerns, particularly for schoolchildren who regularly walk through the village. "It's very dangerous, specifically for pedestrians," she said.
"There is a steady stream of schoolchildren that come out in the afternoon, and the walkway is quite narrow." She explained that large vehicles sometimes have to mount the curb to have enough room to pass through, creating hazardous conditions.
David Cox suggested a better solution was needed, such as a safety barrier to discourage vehicles. "A lot of drivers probably don't realise that they are coming through a tight village; they just follow their sat-navs," he added.
The couple believes caravans and HGVs should be banned entirely from the village. Safer Roads Humber acknowledged that weight limits being contravened is "a difficult offence to enforce" due to evidentiary challenges.
"Each offence has to reach the standard to be dealt with at court if required," a spokesperson explained. "This requires evidence of the vehicle passing the signs and also evidence they did not make any deliveries." PC Susan Scott from Humberside Police's roads policing unit said they work in partnership with various agencies to ensure compliance.
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"We regularly undertake weeks of action and proactive operations to make sure that vehicles are roadworthy, being driven safely, and that commercial vehicles comply with any restrictions," she stated.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council noted that police are responsible for enforcement, with limited alternative measures available. In Belton, police have assured residents they will continue to monitor the situation "where time allows" and maintain their zero-tolerance policy.
"I will say to local residents, you will see the Police following these wagons through, we can only stop them where safe to do so," an officer stated on social media. "Rest assured, where seen in contravention, we will be dealing with the matter."
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It comes after reports found that several HGV drivers have been ignoring the 7.5T weight restriction along Westgate Road in Belton, Lincolnshire.
The restrictions are in place towards Sandtoft Industrial Estate with Humberside Police stating that keeping the rules in place "remains one of our top priorities as part of the local Policing team".
Officers reported that despite clear signage, heavy goods vehicles frequently use the route as a shortcut, prompting numerous complaints from residents.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
This issue mirrors similar problems faced in other UK villages, where large vehicles pose safety hazards on narrow roads not designed for heavy traffic.
Humberside Police have now adopted a "zero-tolerance" approach to address growing concerns. Clear signage has been installed on both off slips of the M180 at Junction 2, as well as at either end of the restriction along Westgate Road, stipulating "except for access".
Despite this, drivers typically from outside the area have been claiming they are "following the sat nav" or using "access" as an excuse to reach the industrial estate.
Police have clarified that the "access" sign only permits deliveries to the residential area, such as furniture deliveries. "As a professional driver, the expectation is that said driver is looking at the appropriate signage that is in place, and taking the correct route," a police spokesperson said.
The situation in Belton echoes problems faced by residents in North Cave, East Yorkshire, where HGVs continue to drive through the village despite prohibition signs.
Kathy Cox, a North Cave resident, told the BBC in March she was "flabbergasted" that lorries over 7.5 tonnes still used the main road through her village as a shortcut. "At every entry point to this village, there are signs that say it's not acceptable, but no one seems to listen," she said.
Her husband, David Cox, reported seeing large lorries taking tight turns at local junctions near their property. East Riding of Yorkshire Council confirmed North Cave has an existing 7.5 tonne weight limit except for access.
Cox expressed serious safety concerns, particularly for schoolchildren who regularly walk through the village. "It's very dangerous, specifically for pedestrians," she said.
"There is a steady stream of schoolchildren that come out in the afternoon, and the walkway is quite narrow." She explained that large vehicles sometimes have to mount the curb to have enough room to pass through, creating hazardous conditions.
David Cox suggested a better solution was needed, such as a safety barrier to discourage vehicles. "A lot of drivers probably don't realise that they are coming through a tight village; they just follow their sat-navs," he added.
The couple believes caravans and HGVs should be banned entirely from the village. Safer Roads Humber acknowledged that weight limits being contravened is "a difficult offence to enforce" due to evidentiary challenges.
"Each offence has to reach the standard to be dealt with at court if required," a spokesperson explained. "This requires evidence of the vehicle passing the signs and also evidence they did not make any deliveries." PC Susan Scott from Humberside Police's roads policing unit said they work in partnership with various agencies to ensure compliance.
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"We regularly undertake weeks of action and proactive operations to make sure that vehicles are roadworthy, being driven safely, and that commercial vehicles comply with any restrictions," she stated.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council noted that police are responsible for enforcement, with limited alternative measures available. In Belton, police have assured residents they will continue to monitor the situation "where time allows" and maintain their zero-tolerance policy.
"I will say to local residents, you will see the Police following these wagons through, we can only stop them where safe to do so," an officer stated on social media. "Rest assured, where seen in contravention, we will be dealing with the matter."
Find Out More...