SMBC prosecutes company for overloaded vehicle

Solihull Council has prosecuted Mr Steve Brennan, trading as SB Scaffolding, for operating an overloaded vehicle.

Mr Brennan’s scaffold lorry was stopped by police and weighed by officers from Solihull Council’s trading standards team on 22nd November 2017.

When weighed, it was found to be 1680kg (48%) over the legal weight limit.

A SMBC spokesperson said: “The lorry was 1680kg over the weight limit which is roughly the equivalent of an average-sized family car.

“This puts considerable extra wear on the roads as the vehicle is not designed for such weights.

“The extra load can affect the handling and braking of the vehicle which also puts other road users at risk.”

Mr Brennan pleaded guilty and was fined £1,460 – including costs and a victim surcharge, he will have to pay a total of £1,884.

Councillor Alison Rolf, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities and Partnerships, said: “I am pleased with the outcome of this case and other local businesses should take note of this prosecution.

“We are committed to ensuring that businesses operating in Solihull work safely and legally; we will continue to work with our partner agencies to achieve this.”

The driver of the vehicle, Mr Ashley Wright, was also prosecuted for the same offence. He will have to pay a total of £1,246.

Read more: http://www.solihull.gov.uk/news/ArtMID/820/ArticleID/2243/Council-successfully-prosecutes-company-for-overloaded-vehicle