Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2013/156

Contact: Richard Webb, Trading Standards & Community Safety Manager Tel: (01865) 815791

Report by Director of Social & Community Services (CMDDL4).

Under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 Oxfordshire County Council may make an order (a “traffic regulation order”) restricting use of the County's roads. There are currently approximately 70 weight restrictions in force across Oxfordshire's roads. In addition, temporary weight restrictions are often introduced whilst road works are carried out to prevent heavy goods vehicles diverting onto inappropriate routes.

Enforcement of the County’s road weight restrictions requires the careful allocation of resources to the monitoring of traffic through the weight restrictions and the investigation of suspected contraventions. As a result there is a continual need to review how the available resources are allocated to enforce the different weight restriction orders. There are a range of factors that need to be considered when determining enforcement priorities including the impact of contraventions of the weight restriction. Communities frequently request additional monitoring and enforcement to deter illegal HGV use in a locality. A prioritisation policy for weight restriction enforcement will ensure that the process for allocation of resources is transparent, and ensure that the available resources are utilised in the most effective manner to support and protect the road infrastructure in Oxfordshire and local communities. This report proposes a policy for the enforcement of weight restriction orders.

The Deputy Leader is RECOMMENDED to agree the proposed weight restriction enforcement prioritisation policy.

Recommendation agreed.

to agree the proposed weight restriction enforcement prioritisation policy.