Malmesbury Town Council is stepping up its campaign against unauthorised lorries using the town centre, urging residents to report offending drivers directly to Wiltshire Police via Operation Snap.
The council has long been concerned about issues caused by oversized vehicles negotiating narrow, historic streets, risking pedestrian safety and causing structural damage to ancient buildings.
Although a dedicated bypass exists to route heavy traffic around Malmesbury, satnavs and drivers continue to ignore the 7.5-tonne weight restriction, except for access, that covers Gloucester Road, Market Cross, and the central area.
With Operation Snap enabling direct public reporting, the Town Council is calling on residents to take photos or dashcam footage of offending vehicles and submit them through the National Dash Cam Safety Portal, as well as sending copies to the Town Council to help identify repeat offenders.
Operation Snap is an online initiative run by UK police forces, including Wiltshire Police, which allows members of the public to submit digital footage and photographic evidence of suspected road traffic offences directly to officers.
Malmesbury Mayor Cllr Robert Hastings said: “Our historic streets were never designed to cope with massive freight lorries, and with a bypass right there to be used, there is no excuse for HGVs to thunder through the heart of Malmesbury unless they have legitimate business here. We have fought this issue for a long time, and now we are calling on residents to help us clamp down on offenders by capturing evidence and reporting it so action can be taken.”
Residents witnessing unsuitable HGVs using the town centre are encouraged to safely photograph the vehicles, before submitting the details to Wiltshire Police via https://nextbase.co.uk/national-dash-cam-safety-portal/. Evidence can be sent to the Town Council by emailing administration@malmesbury.gov.uk.
Photography: Barbara Leatham
