VEHICLE weight restrictions are set to be imposed on a major road in order to prevent lorries from using the route as a shortcut.

Warrington Road and other routes through Glazebury will be subject to weight limits for traffic under the new plans, other than for access.

The area has seen an 'increasing number' of HGVs travelling between the East Lancs and M6 and M62 on its road recently.

And it is hoped that the proposals will benefit Culcheth and Croft as well as Glazebury.

Cllr Matt Smith, chairman of the Glazebury traffic working group, said: “Councillors have frequently heard from residents about the problems caused by HGVs passing through our villages, often as a cut-through to access the motorway network from the East Lancashire Road and vice-versa.

"Despite their A-road designation, these roads are not suitable for this number of larger vehicles – with houses and school playgrounds only a pavement width from the road itself.

"We have seen a significant increase in the number of HGVs passing through Glazebury as a result of weight restrictions imposed by Wigan Council on a road bordering our ward.

"The Glazebury traffic working group brought together residents, councillors and council officers to address these issues.”

Cllr Jan Davidson added: "There has always been concern from the residents here about the noise, poor air quality and damage to property caused by these vehicles passing within a few metres of peoples front doors.

"As councillors, we have been pushing for many years for action to be taken to improve the situation. We’re exceptionally pleased to present this proposal to the residents of Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft.

"Although the focus was on Glazebury, the plan should reduce HGV traffic across the three villages.

"This will be a dream come true for all those residents who have been blighted by HGVs running through our villages with no care other than taking a minute or two off their journey to a motorway."

Members in the neighbouring Rixton and Woolston ward have also welcomed the proposals.

Culcheth and Glazebury parish councillor Ben Alldred said: “The weight restriction is just one of a package of measures we are looking at to improve road safety in Glazebury and beyond.

"Work has already taken place to repair sections of the road, add slow markings and provide residents' parking bays.

"In recent years, the parish council has also funded the provision of several speed indicator devices along the road – but we will not be stopping there.

"We have now begun discussions with David Keane, the police and crime commissioner for Cheshire, on joint funding of other ways to potentially reduce speed and enforce the weight restriction through the village.”

A consultation on the plans runs until Thursday, October 29.