Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Road Safety Team has formed a partnership with Avon and Somerset Police and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) in an operation to check commercial vehicles are in a safe and fit condition to be on the road.

The operation will see spot checks taking place on the roadside in Bath by Police and DVSA vehicle examiners, with the aim of improving road safety and cracking down on vehicles that are not in a fit condition to be on the road.

Councillor Mark Shelford (Conservative, Lyncombe), Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, said: “We acknowledge commercial vehicles are an essential part of the local economy and for delivering the goods we need, but the Council wants to do what it can to make sure that those vehicles are safe.

“We welcome the commitment of the Police and DVSA to target unlawful activities and are pleased to support their operation which is taking place.”

PC Chris Dooley, Commercial Vehicle Specialist at Avon and Somerset Police, said: “We’re committed to identifying and dealing with unscrupulous drivers using defective vehicles who needlessly put the lives of other road users at risk, and our aim is to make sure the public are kept safe and feel safe while using the roads across our force area.”

Local enforcement manager for the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Peter Bull, said: “DVSA is committed to protecting you from unsafe drivers and vehicles. There’s no excuse for driving while tired, with mechanical defects or with an overweight or unstable load. Those on our roads who break the rules are putting themselves and others at risk. Working alongside our colleagues in the police and local authorities, we’ll crack down on rogue drivers and operators, making the South West’s roads safer for all.”