Spoken versionWeight Restrictions (OWLS)
What is OWLS?
A free scheme operated by Trading Standards using local residents as observers to detect the misuse of weight restricted routes by heavy goods vehicles in Reading Borough.
Why?
HGVs have an adverse effect on road surfaces, structures and underground services. They also cause unnecessary air and noise pollution in built up areas. Large vehicles can create serious safety hazards for other road users and pedestrians, in particular children.
How will it work?
- Local residents will record details of vehicles that may be misusing the weight restriction
- Details are then submitted to Trading Standards within 10 days of the observation, using an online form (see “O” under Form Finder)
- Trading Standards will then obtain details of the owners of the vehicles from the DVLA
- Once the vehicle type has been confirmed, a letter will be sent to the owner to determine whether the driver was in contravention of the weight restriction when it was observed (see exemptions)
- Trading Standards will then make a decision as to what action is necessary.
Exemptions
Some vehicles are permitted to use the weight restricted routes and these may include:
- Vehicles loading or unloading within the restricted area
- Emergency vehicles
- Vehicles in the service of Reading Borough Council in pursuance of its statutory duties (e.g. refuse collection)
- Building and industrial demolition operations Building and industrial demolition operations
- Public utility services along the route
- Road maintenance
- Removal of any traffic obstruction
- Any other statutory exemption
| Article | Description | |
|---|---|---|
 |
OWLS FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions about Over Weight Lorries |
Downloads
Some of the following documents are in pdf format. You can download and install a free PDF reader to enable you to read and print them. Click here to download Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Reader from the Adobe website.
| File | Type | Size | Download Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Map of Weight Restrictions in Reading Borough | 136 KB | 56Kbps Modem: 34 Seconds Broadband : 2 Seconds |