A LOCAL councillor has set out to tackle the persistant problem of overweight vehicles using Station Road Bridge, highlighting that many vehicles ignore the restrictions every day.
Cllr David Jenkins and local resident Kathy Scott recently surveyed traffic using the bridge, and estimate that around 70 vehicles over the 7.5T limit cross the bridge between the hours of 8.00am and 5.00pm every day.
While the issue of overweight vehicles using the bridge has been a problem for years, cllr Jenkins hopes the survey shows the extent of the problem.
Speeding motorists have also been identified as another problem on the road.
The safety of pedestrians, the long-term structural safety of the bridge, and traffic congestion are all concerns.
Cllr Jenkins said, “The Station Road Bridge was built in 1899 and was never designed to carry the weight and volume of traffic it does now. The structural weight restriction is there for a purpose, however it seems to be ignored by some heavy vehicle drivers.
“Large vehicles over 7.5T, especially the HGVs, represent an additional threat and danger to pedestrians as the pathway is barely wide enough for a person to walk, let alone with a pushchair.
“In some instances, not only is the weight limit being ignored but the height restriction of the railway bridge crossing Station Road is also being ignored, leaving the difficulty of HGVs struggling to get under the bridge, resulting in a tail back of traffic and delays.
“Action has been taken via the local Community Area Transport Group to help enforce the weight limit with a request to see if the issue could be given priority on the police Neighbourhood Tasking Group. The Highways Department of Wiltshire Council have been asked to evaluate the signage for HGVs in the local area.
“During the survey I noticed there were vehicles from the same organisations who were regular users. It’s only a matter of time before an accident occurs.
“The message is quite simple; the Westbury Station Road bridge is not for vehicles over 7.5T. I will be discussing with Wiltshire Council to see if it’s possible to set up a lorry watch, which is a scheme operated using local observers to detect the misuse of weight restricted routes. If this can be done, then I am confident that there will be a reduction in vehicles over 7.5T crossing the bridge.
