TRADING standards officers in Suffolk today unveiled their latest New Year resolution - to crack down on overloaded lorries.

TRADING standards officers in Suffolk today unveiled their latest New Year resolution - to crack down on overloaded lorries.

Over the last two years 384 drivers and companies have been prosecuted after their vehicles were found to be carrying excessive weight.

A total of £134,660 has been awarded in fines and £46,065 in costs was awarded to Suffolk County Council.

Now, the council will be concentrated on ensuring even more of the law breakers are caught.

Known hotspots are targeted across the county in a bid to catch commercial vehicles dangerously overloaded.

Councillor Joanna Spicer, responsible for public protection, said: "The work of trading standards means companies trying to flout the law are not allowed to get away with it.

“Left unchecked those companies operating illegally would gain an unfair advantage over those complying with the law.

“This is something we are not prepared standby and let happen. The unnecessary weight results in increased cost in relation to road maintenance".

There are a number of ways in which Suffolk's trading standards officers deal with vehicles found to be overloaded including forcing the weight of the vehicle has to be reduced to the legal level before it is allowed to continue its journey, prosecution and warnings.

Weblink:

www.suffolk.gov.uk

n Is enough done to crack down on overloaded lorries? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk>