Drivers have been warned against the risk of being fined after cameras were installed on a busy County Durham bridge.
Those using County Bridge in Barnard Castle could face being given a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) if their vehicle weighs more than 7.5 tonnes.
It is part of a bid to help "streamline" enforcement of weight restrictions following the delegation of moving traffic enforcement powers earlier this year.
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The move does not affect drivers in ordinary car vehicles but the new weight rules will restrict the likes of lorries and trucks.
Durham County Council has said income from PCNs will be used towards maintaining the cameras, supporting bus services and transport projects across the county.
The council is the second local authority outside of London to carry out this form of enforcement and could influence similar measures in other areas of the country.
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Councillor John Shuttleworth, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for rural communities and highways, said: “We already had the responsibility of monitoring cameras at County Bridge, with details of any contravention of the weight limit sent to Durham Constabulary.
"Taking over these powers allows us to streamline enforcement of the bridge and install new, more efficient cameras.
“The site will also help us monitor how the new local authority powers work in practice and allow us to evaluate other locations that could be deemed suitable for future MTE (moving traffic enforcement) provisions.”
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