Broad Street trap is a bridge too far

FIRSTLY I would like to congratulate your photographer Brian Purdy for his excellent picture of a DAF XF 480 Space Cab legally being driven in March Broad Street.

How nice it is to see a working truck well loaded and secured doing its deliveries and contributing to the country's industries and business.

The second picture shows clearly that the 7.5 tonne weight limit only starts on the bridge.

Now then! Who reads the Cambs Times and recognised the haulage company. Is it local? Is the driver local? No he isn't.

So could it be this was the first time the driver had been to March, and he may have been aware that there is a weight limit on the bridge. But where is the bridge?

On turning in to Broad Street he commits no offence. He then drives to the signs: 7.5 tonne weight limit. How does he then escape from crossing the bridge? Thanks to badly parked, and often illegally parked, cars a vehicle that size could not U-turn at the war memorial. And how could he reverse the wrong way out of Broad Street?

The point I am making is that a driver who does not know March town bridge location can fall into the Broad Street trap. I think the weight limit should start at the fountain, not the bridge. From entering the bridge from the Market Place, drivers face the same predicament. However, you can turn right into Elwyn Road to escape the bridge.

I am looking for more action shots in your newspaper of all the other lorries that exceed the weight limit like the council's own gritters, dustcars and the fire engines.

Interestingly, if the lorry was loaded to its 44 tonne limit, because it has six axles it was only transmitting 7.3 tonnes per axle, whereas the gritter loaded to its 17 tonne limit, but with only two axles, transmits 8.5 tonnes per axle.

Keep on trucking to all your readers and photographers.

PAUL FOX

Wisbech Road

Manea