Campaigners fear a lorry ban in parts of Witham could lead to HGV "rat runs" through the town.

Moves to outlaw lorries from the town centre have received backing from the Witham and Countryside Society - but there are fears weight limits on Bridge Street will only push heavy traffic on to other roads.

Chairman John Palombi said he was concerned about the moves: "We do not simply want to move the problem by diverting this traffic from Newland Street to Chipping Hill where it could cause even greater environmental damage."

He called for signs warning traffic over 7.5 tonnes to stay on the A12 instead of cutting through Witham, and for a weight limit on the bridge at Chipping Hill to prevent it becoming a rat run for lorries.

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