WEIGHT restrictions on a bridge are being routinely violated by off-duty buses and HGVs.
A sign before the bridge on Flint Road, Saltney Ferry clearly indicates a limit of three tonnes on vehicles crossing it.
While GHA Coaches have obtained a licence allowing four of their vehicles to pass over the railway bridge, Arriva buses have been spotted using the bridge as a shortcut back to their depot and HGVs have also ignored the sign.
The limit is imposed by Network Rail because steel girders within the bridge are rotting, rendering the bridge unable to bare heavier loads.
Saltney Ferry Residents Association informed Saltney Town Mayor Klaus Armstrong-Braun of their concerns.
He said: “The police have got vehicle numbers and they can give a ticket. I would like to warn Arriva buses if they go over without an exemption they are liable to get a £60 fine.”
Network Rail themselves say while they plan to strengthen the bridge next year, it is the responsibility of the traffic police to catch and prosecute offenders.
Spokesperson for Network Rail in Wales, Mavis Choong, said they plan to “improve the tonnage” of the bridge next year.
She added: “We inspect the structure on a monthly basis to make sure it remains safe.
“The three-tonne weight limit was put on to safeguard the integrity of the structure. That has been violated.
“We have raised this with the traffic police as it is something that has to be enforced by them.”
Saltney town councillor Peter Jones, an Arriva bus driver himself, warned buses driving over the bridge off-duty would not be insured if an accident occurred while they were breaking the law.
Arriva spokeswoman Debra Mercer said: “The rail bridge on Flint Road, Saltney Ferry is not on any bus route operated by Arriva. Drivers are instructed that they are not to use this bridge at any time due to the weight restriction imposed.”
