Residents in Royal Tunbridge Wells and surrounding villages can now help monitor large lorries using narrow residential roads after a constituency‑wide ‘Lorry Watch’ monitoring scheme was launched in February 2026. Tunbridge Wells MP Mike Martin (Liberal Democrat) introduced the project to address long‑standing complaints about heavy goods vehicles causing traffic disruption and property damage in the area.
The initiative allows volunteers to record number plates and company branding of lorries suspected of breaching weight limits or ignoring restriction signs in places such as Goudhurst and Hawkhurst. Reports are passed to Kent County Council’s freight team, which will contact haulage firms, remind them of the restrictions and record incidents so trends can be identified.
According to Kent County Council, Lorry Watch records vehicles using unsuitable roads or failing to adhere to local restrictions; many local Traffic Regulation Orders include 7.5‑tonne limits on parts of the network. If a company or driver is identified as a repeat offender, Kent Police or Trading Standards may be asked to take enforcement action, which can include formal warnings or prosecution.
The project follows Mike Martin’s earlier campaign to persuade sat‑nav companies to reroute HGVs away from narrow ‘S‑bends’ in village centres. Residents who wish to help should follow Kent County Council’s Lorry Watch guidance via their parish or town council; Mike Martin’s office is coordinating the constituency rollout.
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