Changes made to road weight limit restriction

A new consultation will begin on plans to put an environmental weight limit on a major road through Southwell after farmers raised concerns about the proposal.

Nottinghamshire County Council is looking to implement the restriction, which would prevent heavy goods vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes from using the A612 that passes through the town.

Legitimate journeys to places within restricted areas would still be allowed.

Mr Bruce Laughton, the town’s county councillor, told Southwell Town Council the plans had been amended following concerns from farmers who own land either side of the affected area.

Mr Laughton said the plans had been changed to allow agricultural vehicles to use the road.

He said: “We had a considerable lobby from the farmers and there were so many objections it would have slowed the whole process down.

“It shouldn’t cause a problem and, if it does, we can revisit it.”

Mr Peter Harris, chairman of the town council’s finance and policy committee, did not think there would be a considerable amount of extra traffic caused by agricultural vehicles.

He said: “We are talking about traffic between fields rather than through traffic.”

Campaigners have been calling for an environmental weight limit on the A612, which runs along Easthorpe, Church Street, Westhorpe and Nottingham Road for many years. They believe lorries are damaging Georgian houses and Southwell Minster.