Decision details

RESOLVED:

1. That the HGV Weight Restriction Enforcement Policy in the form of the ‘Surrey HGV watch’ is adopted;
   
   
2. That agreement of the detailed operational policy is delegated to the Director for Highways and Transport in consultation with Surrey Police and the Cabinet Member for Highways;

3. That twice yearly progress reports are provided to the Cabinet Member for Highways;

4. That support for a change in Government policy to allow councils outside London to enforce moving traffic offences by camera to help improve road safety, reduce congestion and protect the environment is endorsed.

Reason for decision:

The recommendations above will enable the council to help achieve some of its Community Vision 2030 objectives, including that:

• Residents live in clean, safe and green communities, where people and organisations embrace their environmental responsibilities; and

• Journeys across the county are easier, more predictable and safer.

In addition, as part of our organisational strategy, Surrey County Council wants to work in partnership with residents, businesses, partners and communities to collectively meet challenges and grasp opportunities. A new HGV Watch policy that helps enforce HGV weight restrictions could encourage residents to be proactive in their local areas in working with the council and the police in tackling the environmental impacts that inappropriate HGV movements have on our communities.

An HGV watch scheme will help focus the resources available to the police and council for the enforcement of HGV restrictions in the most effective way and in a way that will have the greatest impact on driver awareness and potentially compliance.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee]