Weight limits - Environmental weight restrictions

This environmental weight restriction applies to vehicles with a maximum gross weight of 3.5T (Tonnes) or above. They are useful in preventing heavy goods vehicles from using minor roads as inappropriate short-cuts between main routes.

Reasons for introducing a restriction of this nature includes:

• to prevent damage to the highway infrastructure (carriageway, footways, street furniture) and buildings
• protect the character and environment of residential estates.
• reduce risks to vulnerable road users, including pedestrians.

Resident only access restrictions of 3.5T(Tonnes) weight ban; restrict access to any vehicles over 3.5T weight from travelling through the “banned zone” at any time of the year, Monday - Sunday. 

Exemption to penalty charge notice (PCN) applies to any vehicle over 3.5T in weight that are registered by residents in the consultation zone, also to their visitors and registered HGV delivery vehicles.

Any vehicle over 3.5T weight travelling through the banned zone in directions would receive a penalty charge notice (PCN). 

If this scheme progresses, residents will be able to register their own and their visitors' or delivery vehicles over 3.5T in weight free of charge. 

The 3.5T weight restrictions will be enforced by the Council using ANPR cameras (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) which are fixed to lamp columns / independent posts. 

No, this is a restriction for all classed vehicles over 3.5T in weight.

Registration for any other exemption is separate, and if these proposals progress it would be necessary to complete a vehicle registration process as set out in the “What is a 3.5T weight ban?” section above. 

Supermarket delivery vans are classed below 3.5T and are excluded from penalty charge notice PCN action. 

All other HGV deliveries will need to be registered by the resident as set out in the 'what if you are expecting visitors' section.

In the event that an HGV delivery driver received a penalty charge notice (PCN), this can be challenged with evidence that a delivery was taking place and the only egress was through the banned zone and the fine will be cancelled. 

For access by tradespeople with vehicles over 3.5T, it will still be possible to enter the banned zone but they should submit the work and resident’s details who engaged them as evidence at the time and the fine will be cancelled. 

If you are expecting a visitor with vehicles over 3.5T in weight, you should ideally register them in advance using our the online form we will be publishing on our website. Should this not be possible, you can register them with us before the end of the same day. 

While the need to register vehicles presents a slight inconvenience to residents, we will streamline the process as much as possible, and it will be free of charge. Feedback from existing schemes suggests the benefits greatly outweigh any inconvenience.

What if I or my child has a blue badge?

If this scheme progresses, Blue badge holders are exempt from penalty charge notice (PCN) as their vehicles are classed below 3.5T un-ladened weight.