2 years after “celebrated” HGV ban, village’s weight limit signs labelled pointless by Labour candidate

Roughly two years ago, residents and councillors in Culcheth, Glazebury, and Croft were reportedly “celebrating” a HGV ban that had been introduced in the 3 villages. However, according to the Liphook herald, the weight limit restrictions in Farnham have been poorly policed - much to the annoyance of a Labour candidate hoping to represent Farnham Heath End as councillor.

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Commenting on the ban back in 2021, Parish councillor Ben Alldred said that locals had fought for years to have HGVs banned from using their local roads:

“Local councillors and residents have pressed for years to see action taken to address the issue of heavy goods vehicles using our local roads. In Glazebury many homes and a primary school are just a few metres from the road. We are so pleased to see the restriction now in place, reducing the use of our villages as a cut through for overly large vehicles. Heavy goods vehicles have been seen turning around after seeing the new signs, changing the routes they have used for years as shortcuts between the East Lancs Road and motorway network.”

However, fast forward two years, and it appears the ban hasn’t been as effective as some locals had hoped.

Speaking to the Liphook Herald, Andrew Jones, Labour candidate for councillor, said that there has been “continued flouting” of the weight restrictions.

“We were told the ban would be enforceable from June 2021, but the police are reluctant to get involved as they would have to prove beyond reasonable doubt an offence had taken place. Surrey County Council could issue penalty charge notices but they would need camera evidence.  But guess what? They still haven’t installed any cameras and even if they did, they haven’t adopted a policy which would permit them to use them. It’s all talk and no action. Even if they started today, the earliest residents could expect relief from this continued flouting of the ban would be this summer.”

Mr Jones added that the longer it takes Surrey County Council to take action, the “more pointless” Farnham’s weight restriction signs seem.

The Liphook Herald also writes that haulage companies have said that a lack of signage on the A3 is another reason why lorries are continuing to travel through Farnham.


Photo: BabelStone, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons