Rat-running lorry drivers in Redbridge will soon face fines of up to £130 for using residential roads at unsociable hours, council leaders have agreed.

Redbridge is rejoining a London-wide scheme it left in 2005, aimed at managing which roads lorries weighing 18 tonnes or more can use during unsociable hours.

Using automatic numberplate recognition (ANPR) cameras, hauliers will face fines of up to £550 and drivers up to £130 if their HGVs leave a permitted network of roads at night, on Saturday afternoons or on Sundays.

According to a report before Redbridge’s cabinet this month, the council is already undertaking a "full-scale review" of its warning signage and planning where to place ANPR cameras.

The report adds: "This will result in enforcement action being undertaken on the vehicles who use short-cuts/rat-runs on residential roads which has a negative impact on residents living on these.

"This will improve quality of life for Redbridge residents and reduce the number of complaints received by the council regarding HGVs using unsuitable residential roads."

As cabinet approved the decision to rejoin the scheme, leader Jas Athwal commented: "I think management of heavy goods vehicles is the right thing to do."

The core network of roads HGVs weighing more than 18 tonnes are allowed to drive on in Redbridge includes the A12, the M11, A406 and A12.

Further details about weight restrictions can be found on this map: https://lcspermits.com/#schememap