LORRIES are flouting village driving bans by taking illegal and dangerous short-cuts through restricted roads.

Parish councillors have raised concerns after a rising number of heavy goods vehicles have been spotted using roads under an Essex County Council lorry ban.

The restrictions have been in place for a decade in an attempt to ease congestion, as well as for safety.

Tendring councillor and chairman of Lawford Parish Council, Alan Coley, was part of the committee that first drafted the bans.

He said: “It’s dangerous for the lorries to use those roads, that was why it was first put in place."

Mr Coley and Essex County councillor for the area, Carlo Guglielmi, are now hoping to get new signs put up to warn the drivers of the ban and then to make sure the rules are enforced.

Mr Guglielmi said: “If they use these roads as a short-cut, they are breaking the law.

“The roads aren’t suitable for heavy goods traffic."