Surrey: Plans to fine ‘rat-running’ lorries announced

Traffic enforcement cameras could be rolled out in Weybridge to catch lorry drivers breaking weight restrictions.

Surrey County Council is considering adding automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras to 10 roads in the town with HGV weight restrictions. The cameras would see lorry drivers facing fines for driving down roads which have restrictions on vehicles weighing over 18 tonnes, says the BBC.

An online consultation on the plans will run until 19 May, the council says.

Roads which are being considered for ANPR cameras include Brooklands Road, between Wellington Way and Hanger Hill, as well as Heath Road, Church Street and St George’s Avenue.

Egerton Road, Gower Road, Cavendish Road, Old Avenue and Ellesmere Road are also being considered to be part of the scheme.

The roads are being chosen because drivers of heavy vehicles regularly use them to avoid traffic.

The practice of driving through less-congested back routes is sometimes known as ‘rat running’. It can often spread disruption to surrounding streets.

A watch scheme to tackle HGVs breaking weight restrictions is currently run on a voluntary basis.

This involves people uploading photos of vehicles considered to be breaking the rules, and the lorry operators may then be issued with a warning letter.