Transport strategy

Area wide weight limits

We have been developing a programme of work to revise vehicle freight movement across Central Bedfordshire.

We strategically introduced a series of 7.5 tonne weight limits in three zones with the aim of improving life for residents in towns and villages currently experiencing high volumes of HGV through-traffic.

These HGVs will be re-routed to the most appropriate roads although there will be exemptions for deliveries and other services.

Some local roads have been reclassified following the de-trunking of the A5 through Dunstable to support the HGV routing strategy; for example, the A5 through Dunstable has become the A5183 and A5120 has become the B5120.

What we have done so far

We have been working with major HGV companies across the UK including; ASDA, Amazon, Tesco and Eddie Stobart, we have also installed all signage across Central Bedfordshire and now we are beginning to enforcing the HGV ban across the area.

One of the most high-profile areas of HGV movement in Central Bedfordshire was in Dunstable High Street but since we have adopted the road and installed weight limit signage we are beginning to see the results.

We recently held our first enforcement operation in Dunstable and in one day prosecuted 24 HGV drivers for contravening the weight restrictions.

How to report an HGV

If you can, please report the HGV to Bedfordshire Police with as much of the following information as possible:

  • name of company
  • registration number
  • date and time
  • location

How we enforce the ban

To enforce the new weight limit ban we will:

  • use ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) cameras
  • use extra police resource
  • work with companies and drivers to educate them on the routes

In our area, both the police and our Trading Standards officers are able to carry out enforcement and often conduct joint checks.

Exemptions

There are exemptions to the weight limits:

  • emergency services
  • in connection with any building operation
  • highways maintenance vehicles
  • agricultural purposes
  • public service vehicle purposes such as buses
  • in connection with professional driver training or testing

Zone 1

Zone 1 has a weight restriction in the following areas:

  • Flitwick
  • Harlington
  • Westoning
  • Aspley Guise

Following our proposal to implement weight restrictions, there are weight restrictions in the following areas:

  • Aspley Heath
  • Ridgmont
  • Woburn
  • Steppingley
  • Eversholt
  • Church End
  • Tingrith
  • Milton Bryan
  • Battlesden
  • Toddington
  • Tebworth
  • Wingfield
  • Charlton

View the zone 1 map (PDF 8MB) to see the different weight limit areas.

Zone 2

Zone 2 covers most roads in Houghton Regis and Dunstable, except for specific routes, including Houghton Road, A505 Luton Road and Boscombe Road, mainly to provide HGV access to commercial premises.

Now the Woodside Link and A5-M1 Link roads have been completed are wider restrictions which include both town centres.

View the zone 2 map (PDF 10.5MB) to see the different weight limit areas.

Zone 3

Zone 3 weight restriction covers:

  • Totternhoe
  • Eaton Bray
  • Caddington (a small part of the area)

Following our proposal to implement weight restrictions there are weight restrictions in the following areas:

  • Whipsnade
  • Kensworth
  • Studham
  • Caddington
  • Slip End
  • Hyde

View the zone 3 map (PDF 25.6MB) to see the different weight limit areas.