East Sussex County Council is set to review a petition urging stricter enforcement of vehicle weight limits on Bexhill’s High Street. Campaigners want large vehicles, particularly HGVs, banned from the route, which currently carries a 7.5-tonne restriction that residents say is frequently ignored.

More than 500 people have signed the petition, raising concerns that oversized vehicles are damaging the road’s heritage buildings - some of which are centuries old. Lead campaigner Sandra Bandirali said urgent action is needed to preserve the street’s historic character before irreversible damage is done.

Council officers have recommended that the issue be fully assessed but warn that any measures to tackle the problem may not be implemented until later in the year. Their report highlights several obstacles, including the need to maintain access for emergency services and legitimate deliveries.

Proposals put forward by residents include redesigning the street layout to physically prevent large vehicles from using it, and rerouting buses. However, officers have raised concerns about changing bus routes, warning it could negatively impact passengers, especially those needing access to Bexhill Hospital. Meanwhile, enforcement of the existing weight limit remains a concern, with Sussex Police now asked to look into the issue further.