LORRIES are to be effectively banned from a main road into Nelson town centre all because of a new road sign.

Lancashire County Council slapped a 25- tonne weight restriction on the Carr Road canal bridge several years ago after concerns about its strength.

But now a new Government order to make all bridge weight restrictions match the different class weights of vehicles means the county council has to change the weight limit.

The closest lorry classification is 26 tonnes but, because the bridge cannot stand the extra weight, county council officers want to reduce the limit to the next lowest limit 18 tonnes.

A county council spokesman said: "The 25- tonne restriction at this bridge will not comply with the new regulations.

"There is no alternative to replacing the existing 25 tonnes sign as they have no legal status from January next year, and the assessed weight limit after than date will be 18 tonnes."

A spokesman for the Freight Transport Association, which represents hauliers, said: "This will mean HGV traffic will have to use alternative routes, which may be less suitable for large commercial vehicles."