Crime Solicitors

Oxfordshire County Council’s Trading Standards team has prosecuted six lorry drivers for breaching weight restrictions on roads across Oxfordshire.

The six defendants pleaded guilty by post and one case was withdrawn.

On 3 November 2015, Adam Williams, 24, of Bampton in Oxfordshire drove a 32-tonne lorry in contravention of the 7.5 tonne weak bridge limit at Charlbury. He was fined £600 with £150 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

On the same date, Daron James Woodley, 46, of Curbridge in Oxfordshire committed the same offence and received the same penalty.

On 8 December 2015, Paul Andrew Keogh, 50, of Swindon in Wiltshire dove a 44-tonne load in contravention of the 7.5 tonne weak bridge limit at Charlbury and was fined £500 with £150 costs and a £50 victim surcharge

Jaskarn Singh, 23, from Slough drove a 32-tonne load in contravention of the 7.5 tonne weak bridge limit at Charlbury on 10 December 2015 and was fined £300 with £150 Costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

Darren Graham Watts, 45, of Swindon in Wiltshire committed the same offence on 30 October 2015 and was fined £400 with £150 costs and a £40 victim surcharge – and Leonard Charles Wood, 58, from Newport in South Wales drove 26 tonnes in contravention of the 18-tonne weak bridge limit at Newbridge on 22 October 2015. He was fined £350 with £150 costs and a £35 victim surcharge

Trading Standards Manager Jody Kerman said:

“The majority of our cases now come from concerned members of the public. I think this shows the level of potential harm and disruption that can come from heavy goods vehicles using unsuitable roads.

“The vast majority of drivers understand and obey weight restriction areas, but those who don’t not only pose a danger – but also gain a competitive advantage over those who follow the rules.

“The Charlbury and Newbridge weight limit is there to protect a ‘weak bridge’, where structural surveys have shown the bridge to be in need of protection from heavy vehicles.

“Newbridge is a Grade II listed structure and a Scheduled Ancient Monument. We conduct pro-active checks at a number of locations across the county, and investigate all public reports received.

“We all appreciate the goods and services that heavy goods vehicles bring and they are a vital part of the economy.

“With good journey planning, drivers can be sure that they will avoid weight restrictions and keep to suitable roads.”

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