There are fears that a town’s historic buildings are under threat from large vehicles.

Residents in Bexhill have urged East Sussex County Council to act to enforce the 7.5 ton weight limit in the Old Town to protect its listed architecture.

A petition, started by resident Sandra Bandirali, calls on the council to take “active measures” to prevent the “misuse” of the weight limit, including the revision of local traffic laws and road changes.

Ms Bandirali said heavy vehicles are flouting the weight limit and are regularly using High Street.

There are concerns high volumes of such traffic could be detrimental to the area, which is home to examples of Georgian architecture and St Peter’s Church, which originates from Saxon times.

“The historic listed buildings are an important part of many people who live in Bexhill and stand as an irreplaceable part of our heritage, which we must protect,” said Ms Bandirali.

“However, these cultural landmarks are under threat. Large vehicles, breaching the established maximum weight limit of 7.5 tons, routinely use the High Street, the buildings don’t have foundations so the structure of these buildings is being threatened.

“The immediate enforcement of the weight limit is key to the buildings' protection and it is of great concern that this regulation is currently not being enforced.”

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“The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors highlights that consistent heavy traffic can cause detrimental damage to nearby historical structures (RICS, 2019). “

Ms Bandirali said action must be taken now to preserve the area.

“Preserving the buildings on the High Street is something we have to do now, or the incredible images we see of a high street that has hardly changed in hundreds of years won’t be there anymore,” she said.

“The bypass was built for heavy vehicles, there are other routes that can be used. The road is now a residential road linking Manor Barn and the historic Barrock Hall.

“The road needs to be reviewed on many levels, but let’s start with enforcement of a sign put up by the council to make sure large vehicles stop using this route.”

An East Sussex County Council spokesman said: “We have noted residents’ concerns over heavy vehicles entering Bexhill High Street. Although the weight restriction was authorised by the county council via a Traffic Regulation Order, the police are responsible for carrying out its enforcement.

“Restrictions are put in place on some roads which are considered especially unsuitable for HGVs, but it is important to note that, even with restrictions, there are exemptions for vehicles that have a legitimate reason to access a road, such as delivering to residential properties or businesses within that area.”