SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Langport looks to restrict HGV numbers

ACTION is being taken in Langport to try and restrict the number of large lorries trundling through the town on a daily basis.

Langport Town Coucncil announced last week on Tuesday, June 7, 2016, that it was working with Somerset County Council about reviewing and amending the way in which permits are given out to haulage companies.

It comes following ongoing concerns from local residents about the amount of HGVs going through Langport.

There is already an initiative in place where each company which uses lorries are each given five permits to drive through Langport.

But town clerk David Mears said that they were now looking to reduce that number of a maximum of just two permits per business.

“We will be seeking to reduce the overall number of permits as far as possible in order to lessen the impact of Large Goods Vehicles on the local community,” he said. “Langport Town Council is also looking to work alongside the police to self-enforce this weight limit.”

The council in July will consider the measures that the town clerk has discussed with Somerset County Council and Avon and Somerset Police, and hopefully the outcome of this will be the setting–up a community HGV watch group that will log the details of any lorry that is seen travelling though the town without a permit.

A letter will initially be sent to the company, and if they continue to ignore the restrictions then details will be passed onto the Police for action, or even the Traffic Commissioners, who have the power to revoke Operators’ Licenses.

Mr Mears said: “However, we cannot stop all HGV vehicles entering Langport as certain businesses have a legitimate right of access within the current weight limit, such as deliveries to a business or Westover Industrial Estate, which is permitted irrespective of permits.

“Checks will be made to ensure that any HGVs that don’t have a permit, are only making deliveries.”

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