Drivers in England warned rule motorists regularly break will now be ‘policed’
HGVs have been caught breaching major weight restrictions in place on the M48 Severn Bridge.
14:00, 17 Jun 2025
Drivers in England warned rule motorists regularly break will now be 'policed'Drivers could be forced to pay for HGV damage on a major bridge as rule breakers flout weight limits.[1] HGVs have been caught breaching major weight restrictions in place on the M48 Severn Bridge.
Now councils and local authorities are calling for stricter punishments to be rolled out. The bridge previously permitted 44 tonne HGVs but now Monmouthshire County Councillor Armand Watts has issued a warning.[2]
"I drive over the bridge a fair bit. On one trip, my passenger took these photos," he said.
Avon & Somerset Police, responsible for enforcing the weight limit, have said they are working with partner agencies to investigate ANPR technology to police the bridge.
Joff Raymont, Transport Director for a company managing Caldicot's Hicks Logistics, told Western Telegraph: "Personally, I haven't seen any HGVs on the bridge and I am not aware of foreign vehicles breaching the weight limit. However, UK hauliers do face unfair competition, and that's a serious concern." He added that drivers flouting UK laws can now have their vehicles confiscated, which "helps create a level playing field". Avon and Somerset Police, who enforce the weight limit, said they would be working with partner agencies to investigate ANPR technology to "police" the limit which road users CONTINUE to break. "The whole thing is deeply disturbing. The weight limit must be enforced. The current situation is unacceptable, nothing's clear," he said. He warned that inadequate enforcement would lead to continued breaches of weight restrictions, placing "massive strains on local infrastructure, and repairs will then have to be paid for." "Why should local taxpayers have to fund things that should be prevented by the law?" he said. Watts has called for a simple "who, what, when, where, why and how approach to enforcement". National Highways said: "The number of vehicles breaching the ban since it was introduced has been small and police are in the area carrying out enforcement activity." The spokesman added that while National Highways is not an enforcement agency, they are "working with local police, through Operation Wolverine, as well as the DVSA and The Traffic Commissioner to prevent infringements and ensure that HGV drivers flouting the ban are challenged."References