Police officers set up a checkpoint on Monday 13th Sept to stop drivers of large lorries and trucks who travel along Sandy Lane South, Wallington - a road with a vehicle weight restriction of 7.5 tonnes. Within minutes of setting up the operation at 7am, officers from Beddington South Safer Neighbourhoods Team and the Met’s specialist Commercial Vehicle Unit, had stopped a flat bed lorry and had spoken to the driver. Over the next two hours a number of heavy lorries were stopped and officers dealt with a number of offences including contravening the weight limit and for tachograph and other offences.

Vehicles are not allowed to use the road if they exceed 7.5 tonnes unless they have proof that they are making a delivery along the road, such as a skip lorry picking up and dropping off from a house.

Sgt John Withersby, of Beddington South SNT, said road safety is a ward priority for the team and residents had made it clear that they don’t want large lorries or trucks along this narrow road with its traffic islands and mini roundabouts, which is often regarded as a short-cut for traffic between Purley and Wallington. This was the first in a series of joint operations with the Commercial Vehicle Unit to crackdown on drivers who break the law. Drivers exceeding 7.5 tonnes, can expect the following police action: A £30 non-endorseable ticket for contravening the weight limit A vehicle inspection by the Commercial Vehicle Unit to check the tachograph and for any vehicle defects A police letter to the driver’s company explaining why the vehicle had been stopped and what action had been taken and what penalty had been imposed.

Sgt Withersby invited residents to contact Beddington South SNT with the company livery / registration details of any offending vehicles.

PC Sandra Wainright, of the Commercial Vehicle Unit, urged drivers to comply with the law. "The 7.5 tonnes weight restriction is clearly marked at either end of this road and it’s very important that drivers of heavy vehicles don’t use this road because they will be endangering the lives of other road users. We will be taking action against such drivers!" she said.