UK drivers are being hit with fines of up to £160 as Wandsworth Council begins strict CCTV monitoring of weight-restricted roads in London. The council confirmed it issued 29 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) in June 2026, with numbers expected to rise as enforcement continues.
Which Roads Are Affected?
The London borough has banned vehicles weighing over 7.5 tonnes from specific routes to clear heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) from residential streets. Streets in Southfields, Putney, Earlsfield, Battersea, and Tooting are all impacted by the new restrictions, according to the council. Drivers who ignore weight restriction signs face a PCN of up to £160.
Why the Crackdown?
Councillor Daniel Hamilton, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Weight restriction road signs are there for a purpose - to protect residents and road surfaces from vehicles that are too big and heavy for local streets. Residents are rightly concerned about HGVs damaging parked cars and putting pressure on smaller roads, which leads to damage and potholes. So we’re stepping up our CCTV monitoring and issuing penalties to more drivers who break the rules and put people and roads at risk.”
Exceptions and Compliance
Wandsworth Council stressed that HGVs are permitted to enter weight-restricted roads where access is required, such as for deliveries or to access certain premises. However, officials emphasized that the restrictions were introduced due to resident concerns and the high volume of unauthorized HGV traffic. Hamilton added: “You might have noticed that some local roads have weight restriction signs at their entrance. This means that heavy vehicles are not allowed to use those roads. These restrictions are in place for a very good reason, to protect local residents and road surfaces from vehicles that are just too large to use them.”
