*** Update on Hilton's 24 Hour HGV Ban ***
*** April 2023 ***

Dear Fellow Hiltonians

It has now been over a year since the 24 hour HGV ban was approved and announced and nearly 10 months since it came into force and thought that it was a good time to give you another update, sorry it is a little long but a lot has been happening.

I thought it would be worthwhile covering a little history for those that are new to the village and maybe not aware HAT (Hilton Action on Traffic) was formed approx. 22 years ago by Bill Halford to work on making the village safer. He led the charge of data collection, lobbying of CCC etc and the first unfortunately unsuccessful attempt for a 24-hour weight restriction. Many of you know Bill, it was a shame he left the village before the fruits of his labours could be experienced.

As most people know that recently a number of important factors changed (New A14 built, closure of Dairy crest in Fenstanton etc) and consequently the second application was successful and, on the 4th July 2022, a 7.5T 24/7 weight prohibition order came into place.

When we first heard (Feb last year) that the application was approved I contacted all of the major HGV Sat nav companies, mapping companies and fleet management and routing systems companies to ensure they were aware of the forthcoming changes and to get their data and maps up to date.

Now pretty much all have caught up (after much pressure) as long as the drivers and operators have updated their devices.

We also contacted the police and Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) for help, which was a painful process. We met with police inspectors, who promised much, but delivered nothing and was let down by them all, until relatively recently (more of that later)

Also, the police run “HGV Watch” scheme has been totally useless and because of a “software and systems update problem” they have never and still are not able to help. We wasted our time in the early stages of the ban reporting HGVs to them, which were never used. Very frustrating.

Ken and I met with the police and CCC in Shire Hall a few weeks ago and despite a convivial meeting and much nodding of heads, no help at all was forthcoming. We kept our request simple to start with, better signage at the south of the area, as there are 5 warning signs at the north end before vehicles get to the entrance of the prohibition area but NONE at the south end, but no help there, insisting that the existing signs comply with the regulations so that is just tough!

So as there was no help forthcoming and lots of HGV were continuing to use the road (probably because they knew that the police were unlikely to enforce) HAT formed a small team to monitor the road and we wrote to each company that had an HGV that was identified contravening the weight prohibition asking for the reason. We have now contacted and had responses from over 700 different companies! We also reported persistent repeat offenders to the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and FORS (Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme) as it contravenes their standards and are audited. Also reported to DVSA who can award OCRS (Operator Compliance Risk Score) points to operators which can affect their operator licence renewal. In fact, they are most concerned at this possible action.

On the whole they (the HGV Operators) were very apologetic and supportive, but their drivers came up with all sorts of “reasons/excuses” for doing it.

As we recorded all HGVs, we knew which ones were repeat offenders (and some still are) and the responsible ones have put a lot of effort in trying to get their drivers to comply, taking them right through their disciplinary processes to dismissal, if they kept doing it.

Many operators use subcontractors and agencies which make that more difficult, but some stood drivers and vehicles down for days/weeks/forever

One of the reasons for contacting them was obviously to make them (the HGV operating managers and directors) aware of what their drivers were doing (as of course they were oblivious unless they received a NIP/Ticket), but also for them to ask their drivers why  they did it, so we could try and put in mitigation to reduce future occurrences.

Top three (3) reasons given were (and sometimes still are)

• Followed Sat Nav
• Didn’t see signs
• Used to be night time only

As I mentioned most of the HGV sat navs and fleet management systems are now up to date, so difficult excuse to use now, but poor signage is still used and does need significant enhancement.

STORY

We were having a roadside meeting with Sergeant Andy Caruana discussing what they could do to help, when an HGV came down the road, which he duly stopped and when he asked why he was using the road, the driver tried to blame the sat nav. The police had none of that as not a valid excuse, then tried the “didn’t see any signs” excuse, to which Andy said “Ok, driving without due care and attention”, to which the driver quickly back peddled and accepted the ticket.

So, at the start of this year, after repeatedly being let down by the police, we were put in touch with Sgt Andy Caruana, local neighbourhood policing team lead, who came and met with us in the village and quite honestly has been brilliant. As you can imagine they are hugely under-resourced, but he has done what he can, which not only is handing out tickets when possible (he and his officers (especially PC Adam Courtney) try and get to the village when they can) but he has also has written to our the 10 offending companies warning them of their behaviour, and implications, which has worked really well.

We are still getting between 5 and 15 HGVs through a day, so our work is still not done, and probably never will be, but this is continuous hard work by the small, but perfectly formed HAT team.

Next project Speeding, but that is another more difficult problem and for discussion at another time.

Happy as usual to try and answer any questions that you may have,

Best regards

Andy Bush, Ken Attwood and the HGV Watch team and HAT “Hilton Action on Traffic”

*** Hilton Art Club 2023-24 Programme ***

Click HERE for more details

• Spectrum Online - June 2023 (10MB)
• Spectrum Online - Feb 2023 (10MB)
• Spectrum Online - Dec 22/Jan 23 (5MB)
• Spectrum Online - May 2022 (7MB)
• Spectrum Online - February 2022 (7MB)
• Spectrum Online - December-January 2021 (6MB)
  Spectrum Online - Past Editions

History of Hilton by Jack Dady

144 pages

Excellent comprehensive history of Hilton, Cambs written by Jack Dady, a prolific local historian.

Available for only £5 with all proceeds going to Parish Church Heritage Fund. Hiltons' only Grade 1 Listed Building from:-

Peter Blake 01480 830137
peter.blake200@btinternet.com

Every second Thursday of the month

More Useful Village Links

The Arts Society Huntingdonshire meets monthly in the Burgess Hall to listen to a lecture on an aspect of fine art. Subjects range from painting to sculpture, design, jewellery, architecture, photography, cartoons …even art fraud. Lecturers are selected at a national level and travel around the country to various societies. They are all excellent.

The programme for the first months of next year is typical of the variety in each series and can be found HERE