HGV's very latest!!

Had a meeting yesterday with police (CPO Jamie Simmons) - I was wanting to follow up on what police had been doing so far.

No specific action by the police has taken place in relation to the info we've sent them. I did provide CPO with photographic evidence re one incident and the police will be following this up

Jamie has emailed the Road Policing Unit covering Warrington Widnes etc re the problems being experienced - police to have a 'floating presence' in the area ie visible sign of police car - it is hoped that this could occur at least once a week and might deter HGV drivers from using Moorfield Rd and Barrows Green Lane.

Following meetings with some of the ward councillors - council to look at providing better and more road signs re weight restrictions.

I mentioned to Jamie about Lorry Watch schemes particularly in Cambridgeshire and Sussex. In most areas where Lorry Watch schemes have been set up the reported incidents of HGV use of weight restricted routes is followed up by Trading Standards. Halton BC does not have a trading standards section this is dealt with at Warrington. Jamie and Chris to check up whether Trading standards in Warringtion have a responsibilty for pursuing reported incidents in Widnes.

Jamie mentioned about discussions he'd had at Halton View Action Group re speeding and the possiblity of residents setting up a community Speed Watch - some residents didn't feel too happy with the idea not wanting to get involved and seeing the role as primarly a police one. Also the speed bumps issue seems to be a none goer due to lack of support from residents. Discussed possiblity of speed cameras but they are very expensive and there is a tendency for drivers to speed up after going through a camera controlled zone.

I suggested if possible we formalise a Lorry Watch in Barrows Green Lane and Moorfield Rd. It would be necessary to leaflet residents in the area to ask if anybody would be interested in keeping an eye on HGV movement and recording incidents which would then be forwarded to coordinators. The coordinators would then send info on to police etc. Residents would need to be able to identify HGV vehicles some simple learning input might be required here(?) - Jamie to discuss formalising a Lorry Watch scheme with his managers.

It would be important to involve hauliers as much as possible in this proccess so that they would not feel they were being hounded and so that they could work with us to improve the situation. Surrey Trading Standards operates in this way.

Jamie to contact following discussions with his managers WATCH this space!!??