Weybridge & St. George's Independents' Campaign to Prohibit HGVs on local roads
STOP PRESS: THE RESTRICTED ROADS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO HGV WATCH
22 November: Surrey County Council has now added the restricted roads to the dropdown menu on their “HGV Watch” page so contraventions can now be reported there.
Original photographic evidence clearly showing the vehicle registration number and the location will be needed when you report any contravention.
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The restriction applies to vehicles exceeding 18 tonnes (e.g. large articulated trucks) The only exception is for vehicles requiring access to addresses to which there is no alternative route other than along roads where the weight restriction applies.
The restriction prohibits drivers from using these roads as routes to or from Brooklands Industrial Park for example, as there are alternative routes they can take to and from their destination,​​​​​​
​We're delighted to confirm that Pippa and Peter’s e-petition and our subsequent campaign for an 18 tonne HGV weight restriction has now resulted in the necessary Order being made by Surrey County Council. Surrey Highways have now installed the road signs, marking the entire restricted area.
The formal Public Notice about this restriction and a map showing the restricted roads ("Plan'")can be read on the SCC website To summarise, the scheme is being introduced in two phases:
Experimental Traffic Order. From 1st November 2024 for a maximum period of 18 months.
The Public Notice lists the roads to which the restriction applies
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According to the Notice, the only objection which may be made to this Experimental Traffic Order would be by way of application to the High Court that the provisions of the relevant legislation have not been complied with.
Permanent Traffic Order
When this Order, or any variation of it, has continued for at least 6 months Surrey CC “will consider in due course” whether the provisions of the experimental order should or should not be made permanent, meaning it will make this final decision at some point between the end of the 6 months and the expiry of the maximum period of 18 months.
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Enforcement
The restriction is now in effect and applies to vehicles exceeding 18 tonnes (e.g. large articulated trucks) The only exception is for vehicles requiring access to addresses to which there is no alternative route other than along roads where the weight restriction applies. The restriction prohibits drivers from using these roads as routes to or from Brooklands Industrial Park for example, as there are alternative routes they can take to and from their destination.
It's generally the case that hauliers are very aware of weight restricted areas. However, we are also working with local depots such as the ones at Brooklands to ensure they are aware of the restriction and will help to bring it to the attention of their drivers and subcontractors. Local Amazon Management has been particularly helpful and have provided us with a contact point to report any of their vehicles which contravene the restriction. Of course this can only be done if photo evidence clearly shows the reg number and location of the vehicle.
In addition, At Pippa's request Surrey CC have now added the restricted roads to the dropdown menu on their “HGV Watch” page so contraventions can now be reported there. Photographic evidence clearly showing the vehicle registration number and location will be needed when you report any contravention.
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CLICK HERE TO SEE SURREY HIGHWAY'S UPDATE NOVEMBER 2024
Weybridge & St. George's Independents' Campaign to Prohibit HGVs on local roads
UPDATE AUGUST 2024
The public consultation process which was prompted by our successful Surrey e petition (signed by 1,227 residents) was completed at the end of July and we are awaiting the outcome to be confirmed by Surrey Highways. Many of you participated - which is great! Thank you.
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We will continue to keep close to further developments and will keep you posted.
This consultation was necessary in order to progress the scheme. Currently the SCC website "What happens next" says "If the decision is to proceed with the experimental restriction, detailed design and implementation will follow as soon as possible, subject to statutory procedures and available funding.
As initially this would be an experimental weight restriction, statutory procedures require that official consultation on this scheme is carried out when the weight restriction signs are installed. This consultation would run for a period of 6 months. During this time objections and comments from the public can be made regarding the restriction.
Once the 6-month period ends, the objections and comments are considered and a decision made on whether to remove the restriction, make changes to the restriction, or make the restriction permanent. Even though the weight restriction would be experimental initially, it is still a legal restriction once the signs are in place.
The official consultation would be carried out once the weight restriction signs are installed and you will be able to object, support or make comments on the experimental weight restriction in the same way that you are providing your current comments, by using this website or in writing"
The restriction will be “except for access” as it will be necessary to allow for genuine access for, e.g., deliveries to premises along these roads. They have separately confirmed to us that “except for access” would not permit vehicles in excess of 18 tons to use this route to get to and from places beyond these roads, Brooklands Business Park for example, as there is an alternative route to and from this destination..
It’s our understanding that an initial temporary restriction will be quicker to put in place than going for a permanent limit from the outset. We will, of course, be keeping a close eye on developments and be pushing for it to be made permanent as soon as realistically possible.
Our grateful thanks go to all of the 1,227 signatories to the petition for their support. Our thanks also to Surrey County Council for taking heed of the local voice and for the support of Surrey Cllr. Tim Oliver, our local MP and others for this restriction.​​
THE ISSUE
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This is a major issue for Weybridge residents which deserves and demands serious attention and resolution.
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We have raised this issue with Surrey County Council in response to residents of Brooklands Road and Heath Road who have very legitimate complaints about the constant thundering of the trucks at all hours.
You've only got to watch while these huge lorries try to navigate their way round from Balfour Road into Church Street to understand the continued risk to pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
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Local roads are not designed or suitable for vehicles of this size and weight so we have petitioned Surrey County Council to introduce an 18 ton HGV weight limit on Brooklands Road (B374). Articulated lorries travelling to and from Brooklands need to be prohibited from Brooklands Road and use the perfectly suitable route (M25/A3/Byfleet Road) from the M25 to Brooklands. This would in turn greatly reduce the dangers of HGVs driving along Church Street and Heath Road in Weybridge.
The weight limit would prevent HGV articulated lorries accessing local roads purely as a route through to Brooklands. The ban would however not disrupt deliveries by lorries under 18 ton, nor would it preclude HGVs delivery to Weybridge town.
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Scroll down to see just a few photos which demonstrate the issue.
UPDATE 26TH JANUARY 2024
Peter and Pippa are very pleased to be able to tell you that our petition for a weight limit of 18 tons along Brooklands Road has been successful in persuading Surrey County Council to reconsider its earlier resistance to the idea.
As a result of our petition, and the additional evidence we received from residents, Surrey Council has now formally responded to us. They have confirmed in their written response to our petition that they will "undertake an informal consultation with local stakeholders with a view to potentially implement an experimental 18 tonne restriction on Brooklands Road B374 (north of junction with Wellington Way).......". The written response goes on to outline the proposed full route of the experimental restriction which would include Heath Road and Church Street, and also along Hangar Hill. It is intended that the informal consultation will be carried out in early spring.
This consultation will be prior to any detailed design or progression of the scheme. 18 tonne weight restriction signs would initially be installed for a maximum of 18 months. The restriction will be “except for access” as it will be necessary to allow for genuine access for, e.g., deliveries to premises along these roads. They have separately confirmed to us that “except for access” would not permit vehicles in excess of 18 tons to use this route to get to and from places beyond these roads, Brooklands Business Park for example, as there is an alternative route to and from this destination..
It’s our understanding that an initial temporary restriction will be quicker to put in place than going for a permanent limit from the outset. We will, of course, be keeping a close eye on matters and be pushing for it to be made permanent as soon as realistically possible.
Our grateful thanks go to all of the 1,227 signatories to the petition for their support. Our thanks also to Surrey County Council for taking heed of the local voice and for the support of Surrey Cllr. Tim Oliver, our local MP and others for this restriction.
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We will continue to keep close to further developments and will keep you posted.
Councillors Peter Harman & Pippa Graeme
Weybridge & St. George's Independents
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