Anger over lorries 'breaking' weight restriction
George Carden / BBC Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) are routinely ignoring a 7.5-tonne weight limit through Bexhill’s old town, residents say.
Locals claim lorries weighing up to 44 tonnes are a danger to pedestrians and are damaging the foundations of the Grade II listed buildings in the High Street.
They want measures such as a width restriction to be implemented to stop heavier vehicles using the road.
East Sussex County Council (ESCC) said the restriction was used for roads that were deemed unsuitable for HGVs, but there were exemptions for vehicles that needed access, such as for deliveries.
George Carden / BBC Resident Sandra Bandirali told BBC Radio Sussex: “It’s routinely being broken and it’s not being enforced.
"There is a fear for people crossing the road and also the historic buildings along the high street which don’t have foundations.
“With the constant vibrations from the heavy vehicles it could cause serious structural damage to the buildings. Some of the sections of the pavement have started to be affected by the weight of the vehicles going through daily.”
A petition to ESCC has reached nearly 300 signatures so far.
Polly Gray, Green councillor for Bexhill Old Town & Worsham, said: “No one wants to really take the full responsibility. These old houses are really beginning to suffer. It’s a nightmare for residents and families, it’s an accident waiting to happen.”
ESCC said enforcement was down to Sussex Police.
A council spokesperson said: “We have noted residents’ concerns over heavy vehicles entering Bexhill High Street.
“Restrictions are put in place on some roads which are considered especially unsuitable for HGVs, but it is important to note that, even with restrictions, there are exemptions for vehicles that have a legitimate reason to access a road, such as delivering to residential properties or businesses within that area.”
Bus company Stagecoach South East said the maximum gross weight requirement only applied to goods vehicles and not buses.
Sussex Police confirmed that vehicles over 7.5 tonnes should not enter the zone unless they had a lawful reason to do so. A spokesperson said anyone with concerns should report them to Sussex Police online.