Lorry ban beaten in tall story case
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• A Bedfordshire haulier has been cleared of contravening the London lorry ban even though his vehicle exceeded height restrictions for an abnormal load.
Thomas Kitchener, trading as TB Kitchener from Sandy, Beds, was charged with offences under Condition 5 of the exemption permit for the London Borough's Transport Scheme, along with driver Steven Whitbread.
Whitbread's vehicle was carrying panels for use in the construction industry with an overall height of 4,52m. He drove the vehicle along the restricted section of Kew Road in Richmond to avoid a bridge of only 4.50m.
Magistrates at Richmond found both men not guilty.
Chris Hudson-Gool, principal enforcement officer of LBTS, says the magistrates clearly misunderstood the Construction and Use Regulations as they apply to height. He says any vehicle, unless it has a Special Types exemption, should be able to get under a bridge of this height.