Lorry Watch

Vehicles wider than 6’6” (2 metres) are prohibited from entering Shorne village except to gain lawful access to locations within the zone.  The prohibited zone extends from the junction of Park Pale in Brewers Road to the south, to the Pear Tree Lane and Forge Lane junctions with the A226 Gravesend Road in the north, and of course all roads leading from them.  The same width restriction also applies to Thong Lane between the A2 and Vigilant Way.  In addition, vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes are prohibited from using Green Farm Lane except for lawful access.

In order to deter drivers of non-compliant vehicles from disregarding the prohibitions, Shorne Parish Council has operated a passive Lorry Watch scheme since 2017, and residents can report any non-compliant company vehicles observed in the restricted zones to the Council.  On receipt of the necessary information, the Council will contact the company concerned to ask why the offending vehicle was in the restricted zone, and if they had no valid reason, what action they intend to take to avoid any repetition.

The Council is unable to identify the vehicle operator from the registration number alone.  In order to be effective, it is essential that the following information is recorded:

• The vehicle registration number;
• The Company name;
• Where the vehicle was seen;
• The date, and approximate time. 

Without this information, the Parish Council will be unable to act.

In conjunction with Kent County Council, the Parish Council is now authorised to set up an active Lorry Watch scheme, administered by the Parish Council, where volunteers will be empowered to carry out active roadside sessions at approved, risk-assessed locations, in order to record the details of any oversized vehicles observed using roads with a weight or width restriction.  There must be a minimum of 2 volunteers at each session, and all volunteers must be over 18 and physically capable of road side participation.

If you are interested in taking part in active roadside Lorry Watch sessions in your local area, please email Lorrywatch@shorneparishcouncil.org for further details.

Do not distract or attempt to stop any vehicles, and do not approach the driver.  Your safety and the safety of other road users is paramount at all times.

Full details of the policy, including instructions and risk assessments for active Lorry Watch sessions, can be found at: https://shorneparishcouncil.org/lorry-watch-policy-risk-assessment/

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION