Boston Manor Viaduct.

Since April there has been a 7.5 tonne weight restriction on the M4 motorway between Junctions 3 and 2 eastbound and Junction 1 and 3 westbound. This is a result of ongoing repair work at the Boston Manor Viaduct. The diversions in place greatly add to journey times to and from London.

Drivers of buses, coaches and lorries are getting fed up with this restriction, that has gone on for far too long. This section of motorway is very busy and every day thousands of cars thunder along with no restriction. If this bridge is so weak as the warning signs claim, then how can these cars safely cross?

The Department of Transport will not move on this restriction and has sent out a nagging email...

VOSA is working closely with the Met Police and the Highways Agency to identify and take action against road users who do not comply. This action includes the issuing of fixed penalties for vehicles not complying with the weight restriction and reporting repeat offenders to the Traffic Commissioner.

Sarah Bell, Traffic Commissioner said: “I am pleased that the vast majority of bus, coach and freight operators are heeding the 7.5t weight restriction in place on the M4 viaduct. It is disappointing that a few are not, presenting a poor impression of the industry. I have asked the Highways Agency and VOSA to report direct to my office any operators and drivers that appear to be disregarding the clear signs.”

...Why is this work taking so long and is it really necessary to have a 7.5 tonne weight restriction? To make drivers even more hot under the collar is the fact that official London 2012 Olympic vehicles were exempt from this restriction...

* Exemptions apply for LOCOG Olympic coaches, laden and unladen - with a vehicle access and parking permit – which are being allowed to use both carriageways of the M4 between Junction 1 and 3 over the Boston Manor Viaduct.

...This makes no sense at all. VOSA have bent over backwards for people playing games but people who are trying to make a living are threatened with a fixed penalty. What is good for LOCOG should apply to everyone and if this bridge was so weak then LOCOG should have been told to take a jump.

A temporary restriction is understandable for essential work but to allow alleged VIP's access is totally unfair. I am disappointed that the freight and passenger industries have not taken on the government and challenged this weight restriction.