WILTSHIRE Council claims the Bradford on Avon Lorry Watch scheme is working - despite no offenders being prosecuted last year.

Latest figures show the town’s Lorry Watch volunteers observed 342 HGVs and coaches crossing the ancient town bridge in 2017. Of these, 28 repeat offenders were identified by Wiltshire Police as exceeding its 18-tonne weight limit.

But the county’s Trading Standards department has yet to prosecute any of the offenders, despite 13 prosecutions taking place in nearby Westbury.

At a private meeting with town councillors and Lorry Watch volunteers last month, police and trading standards officers reassured them the scheme is working despite the lack of prosecutions.

A council spokesman said: “We are grateful to all the Lorry Watch volunteers for the work they do and their commitment to improving their communities.

“There has been a significant decrease in the amount of lorry drivers re-offending and using the bridge, and that is in no small part due to the volunteers’ dedication and our partnership working.

“As a result of their work, we are continuing to investigate a number of infringements referred to us by the police. We have to be thorough and follow the correct legal process, which is out of our control and can take time.

“However, despite there being no recent prosecutions in Bradford on Avon we are committed to supporting the scheme and carrying out enforcement action whenever appropriate.“We have met with Bradford on Avon Town Council and Lorry Watch volunteers to ensure they are up to date with what we’re doing and we will continue to do so.”

Town Lorry Watch team leader, Stephanie Ridout, said: “We couldn’t get much extra information at the meeting but the Ideal Bradford on Avon councillors are determined to sort it out.

“It will be interesting to see what happens.”

Cllr Dom Newton, the council’s leader, said they were determined to take positives from the meeting, despite the lack of a coherent explanation.

He said: “They said it’s a matter of public interest. They don’t want to make it easier for drivers to evade the law.

“If we tell people how we are going to enforce it, it makes it easier for people to take legal advice to get around it.”