AN empty 44-tonne articulated lorry caused traffic delays and congestion in Bradford on Avon after its driver tried to negotiate his way through the town’s narrow streets.

The incident took place at 11.45am on Saturday (June 7) when the lorry created long tailbacks and delays for other motorists.

One resident who witnessed the delays said there are signs warning heavy goods vehicle drivers to avoid Bradford on Avon as there is an 18-tonne weight limit on the town bridge designed to protect it from damage by HGVs.

Wiltshire Times: Empty articulated lorry causes tailbacks and traffic delays in Bradford on Avon. Empty articulated lorry causes tailbacks and traffic delays in Bradford on Avon. (Image: Jose Gonvales)

He said: “The 18-ton weight limit is in place to protect the structure on the medieval bridge and to prevent any injury to pedestrians as large vehicles have to mount the pavement to cross the bridge due to oncoming traffic.

“There is also the potential to be injured by wing mirrors of both cars and lorries as they cross the bridge, as pedestrians get clipped by the wing mirrors on the pavement which is very narrow.

“An empty lorry is not an excuse to use the bridge as if it is empty at about 15 tons, the law doesn't allow for an empty lorry to be exempt in prosecution cases by the CPS  and the courts.”