Walsall Trading Standards ensures road safety and borough-wide Weighbridge inspection
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Walsall Trading Standards officers have concluded a comprehensive testing exercise involving 21 weighbridges across the borough. The four-day operation, which took place from 3 to 6 February 2026, was designed to verify the accuracy of the equipment and help prevent the overloading of heavy vehicles, a critical factor in reducing risks to pedestrians and other road users.
The process involved using a specialist unit to place one-ton block weights onto the platforms with a forklift to verify that the machinery provides precise measurements under heavy loads.
After the operation five weighbridges were found to be weighing inaccurately, and operators of the failing equipment have been issued a 28-day notice to complete necessary repairs.
“ Accurate weighing is about more than just fair trade; it is a matter of public safety. When weighbridges are incorrect, there is a real risk of vehicles being overloaded, which puts immense strain on our road infrastructure and increases the danger for every road user and pedestrian in Walsall. These inspections show our commitment to holding operators accountable and ensuring our borough remains safe.
Ensuring the accuracy of weighing and measuring equipment is a cornerstone of public protection. Whether it is a jeweller's scale, a petrol pump, a spirit measure in a pub, or a 50-ton weighbridge, these checks ensure that both businesses and the public receive exactly what they pay for. “
Walsall Trading Standards is part of the Central England Trading Standards Authorities (CEnTSA) group, which has recently carried out similar checks across the region. In some neighbouring areas, half of the weighbridges required repairs, and two were so inaccurate they had to be taken out of use.
Walsall Council’s Trading Standards team continues to carry out intelligence-led enforcement activity across the borough to protect consumers, support legitimate businesses and keep communities safe.
For more information about the work of Trading Standards at Walsall Council, visit: https://go.walsall.gov.uk/business/trading-standards
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