BRADFORD on Avon Lorry Watch volunteers have seen their hard work pay dividends after the successful prosecution of Bristol-based Wright Minimix Ltd for a repeated breach of the lorry weight limit on Bradford on Avon’s Town Bridge.

Wright Minimix Ltd was ordered to pay a £500 fine and £125 costs at Chippen-ham Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The prosecution is part of a long-running campaign which started in October last year and has seen a team of around 40 volunteers dedicate their time to log vehicles infringing the town’s 18 -tonne weight limit.

Lorry Watch co-ordinator, Stephanie Ridout, said: “Volunteers have given up more than 1,500 hours of their time since last October.

"The numbers of lorries crossing the bridge has fallen from 50 per week to around 25, but we have been waiting for a prosecution to show we mean business.”

The Lorry Watch programme has seen the town’s volunteers work with Bradford on Avon Town Council and Wiltshire Council.

Keith Humphries, cabinet member for public health and protection services, said Wright Minimix Ltd’s prosecution might deter other drivers from illegally crossing the bridge.

He said: “We hope this action will send a very clear message. The vast majority of companies who are warned when they’re reported by the volunteers don’t reoffend.

“However there have been a few which have ignored our warnings and this was one of those cases.

Dick Tonge, cabinet member for highways and transport said: “This is an excellent example of teamwork addressing a problem and solving it.”

For more information, call Bradford on Avon Town Council on 01225 864240 or visit www.bradfordonavon towncouncil.gov.uk.