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Number of over weight lorries using Sonning rat-run declines
July 29, 2009
A sharp reduction in the number of lorry drivers using Sonning as a rat-run has baffled parish councillors.
Sonning Parish councillors were shocked to discovered the decline at their latest spot-check at the mini-roundabout between Charvil Lane, Pearson Road and Thames Street.
The village has continued to be blighted by lorries using its narrow streets and pavements as an easier access route to South Oxfordshire and beyond – despite the ban on seven-and-a-half-tonne lorries that was introduced last year.
But the team recorded details of just three overweight lorries during the latest check on July 16.
A similar check last month captured 25 drivers who had failed to heed signs along the A4 explaining how the village no longer allows the passing of HGVs, except for those making deliver-ies and removal lorries.
Councillor Ken Peters, chairman of the parish council’s transport committee, said: “It was a very odd day.
“We operated from 10am until 2pm and only saw about three or four vehicles, but before we had about 20 odd come through during the course of the day.
“We couldn’t understand it. We didn’t announce the survey to the media so we don’t know if it was just one of those days or if it is actually starting to have an impact.
“I can’t imagine the kids breaking up from schools would affect HGV driving as much.”
He added: “We were pleasantly surprised – but is it good or bad news?
“Despite the big change we can not consider it a true success until we have done some more surveys.
“We are all baffled but enthused.”
Cllr Peters believes the drop could be down to thorough checks being carried out on lorry drivers entering the village from the other side of the River Thames.
He explained officers at Oxfordshire County Council had been successfully prosecuting drivers making their way to Sonning Bridge – which also has a ban on HGVs – from the southern part of the county through powers the parish council lacks.
He added: “A report in this month’s Sonning Parish Magazine states a significant reduction in HGVs because of the weight limit and because council officers have prosecuted a number of weight limit offenders.
“It is good news, but we intend to carry on and hope to run another survey in the next four or five weeks.”
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All it means when you see a Reduction was they found a different way.
03/08/2009 at 14:54 Offensive or Inappropriate?
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