Weight Limits

Weight restrictions can be imposed for structural or for environmental reasons. It is a legal control on vehicle over certain weights or width, primarily goods vehicles and  lorries, on certain roads and routes.

The restriction prevents large vehicles from using inappropriate roads, routes and areas in order to:

• Reduce danger to pedestrians and other road users
• Prevent damage to buildings, roads and bridges
• Preserve the character, amenity and environment of an area
• Reduce and manage congestion on the roads

The council has in place a strategic and local lorry route network that provides specific routes to and from lorry destinations and generators throughout the Borough.

Enforcement

This is a police responsibility. However, the Police have limited resources to enforce this type of restriction, especially environmental restrictions. Restrictions with "except for access" exemption quickly fall into disrepute and are notoriously difficult to enforce. The exemption is needed to permit HGV access to local shops, businesses, residential properties for deliveries/removals etc. For this reason, enforcement is afforded a low priority and physical measures will be needed to prevent any abuse of restrictions because the use of signs alone has proven to be ineffective. Restrictions on goods vehicles cannot be used if there is no suitable alternative route for displaced goods vehicle traffic.

Additional Considerations

Where a Traffic Regulation Order restricts the use of a road, route or area to certain vehicles, the signing of a recommended alternative route will need to be considered.

Windsor Cordon

The Windsor Cordon is a system of weight restrictions on routes to the south of Windsor that provides a control on the movement of good vehicles north and south of the town. The restriction has been in place since 1979 and applies to goods vehicles over 17 tonnes gross weight. It is possible for HGV operators to apply for exemption permits. Click on the links below for guidance notes and also an application form

•   Windsor HGV Cordon Scheme - Guidance Notes (pdf 22KB)

•   Application Form For Windsor HGV Exemptions Page 1 (21.8kb)

•   Application Form For Windsor HGV Exemptions Page 2 (pdf 7KB)