Some enormous vehicles and their abnormally large loads were escorted into a multi agency vehicle check site at the M6 Corley Services on Thursday 8 December to be checked by officers from Warwickshire Police’s Abnormal load team, CMPG and DVSA colleagues to ensure they are as safe as possible as they travel through the county.

During the operation, police motorcyclists intercepted 14 abnormal loads travelling on the M6 and escorted them into the check site to ensure compliance with movement orders and that the driver and vehicle are safe and legal on the roads.

Seven loads were prohibited from moving until faults on the vehicle were rectified and 9 Traffic Offence Report forms were issued for a variety of offences, including insecure loads.

One overweight vehicle was prohibited from moving until the load was safely reduced. This meant the driver had to organise for another vehicle to come to the check site to take some of the load. Overweight vehicles are particularly dangerous because they will take longer to brake in an emergency and the load is more likely to shift increasing the danger to the driver and other road users.

The drivers of two vehicles with insecure loads were required to secure them safely before being allowed to continue their journeys.

The DVSA also dealt with a number of tachograph offences including driver hours and speed.

Officers also took the opportunity to test drivers were below the legal limit for alcohol and we are pleased to say they all passed.

Inspector Dan Hicks said “In terms of making our roads safer, it was a hugely successful morning where a number of drivers were dealt with for a variety of traffic offences.  We also spoke to many drivers about the safety issues to help them avoid being stopped in future. These operations are so important because ensuring these oversized loads are moved correctly throughout the county reduces the risk they pose to the drivers themselves and to other innocent road users.

“We will continue to work with partners to organise regular operations to check all aspects of driver and vehicle safety.”

Starting on Monday, Avon Dassett Community Benefit Society, in conjunction with Warwickshire Rural Community Council (WRCC) will be offering a warm welcome at the Yew Tree.

Until the end of March, we aim to open every weekday from Monday to Friday, from 12.00-15.00, during which times the pub will offer warm hub facilities to all Avon Dassett residents and shareholders. Initially there will be selected warm drinks and biscuits available, free of charge and guests are free to make use of the library, games, wi-fi and facilities at the Yew Tree. When the kitchen is open we will also offer soup and a roll.

Guidance about support schemes, information sources and energy saving, and useful services will be made available and specific information sessions are being planned. Details will be announced once available.

We realise that until we start operations, we will not fully understand residents’ needs, but we are committed to providing a vital service and will listen to all feedback and try to develop the service.

As part of the grant funding that we have received from WRCC, we need to provide data on usage, so we will be issuing cards to guests and volunteers and logging attendance together with any feedback.

We are looking to recruit volunteers to help to operate the facility by providing company for our guests, discussing their needs and helping to signpost them to useful information and guidance. Anyone interested should contact our Benefit Society Secretary, Michele Gill  michelegill09@gmail.com or 07796 446024.

We look forward to seeing you and working together to develop our warm hub facility.

Avon Dassett Community Benefit Society Limited

Only travel if you really have to say police as freezing temperatures continue

Warwickshire Police is warning drivers about snow, ice and fog affecting road conditions as we continue to be gripped by freezing temperatures.

The advice is to only travel if you really have to and if you do, make sure your windscreen is clear, and you have plenty of fuel.

Check the weather forecast and local travel news before you set off. This includes the forecast for your destination as it may be very different.

In the Stratford upon Avon area a high number of road collisions were reported over the weekend.

With the freezing weather set to continue, Inspector Richard Hobbs said “The whole area south of Stratford upon Avon is where we are seeing our worst driving conditions with Shipston and Tysoe particularly affected.

“There are a number of rural roads in the south of the county that are closed due to the snow and ice so we are asking drivers to please stick to the main roads and to slow down and drive according to the conditions.

“As well as being icy, these roads are shut because there are a number of abandoned vehicles that are unable to be moved and this makes them impassable until the weather improves.

The advice is for drivers to be prepared and pack a winter driving kit including food and water, de-icer and ice scraper, blankets, snow shovel, a fully charged mobile phone and car charger, warm clothes, boots and a torch.

If you do need to abandon your car, please ring the police on 101 to let them know the location of the vehicle and that you are safe. Please only call 999 in an emergency.