Vehicles weighing over 7.5 tonnes will be banned from driving through a Havering village following a campaign by residents and their MP.

The Heavy Goods Vehicle ban, which begins tomorrow (May 11), will prevent large lorries from travelling through Rainham village, Upminster Road South and Wennington Road.

CCTV cameras will be introduced to enforce the ban, and lorries that are not exempt will receive fines for driving through the area.

Last August Cllr David Durant, who is responsible for the Rainham and Wennington ward, recommended the use of the cameras to deter drivers traveling to and from the industrial estates on Ferry Lane and Lamson Road from using the village roads.

Dagenham and Rainham MP Jon Cruddas, who has campaigned on the issue with councillors and residents, said he is “very pleased” that Havering Council responded “positively”.

His survey in January found 96 per cent of respondents thought there were too many HGVs passing through the village.

He added: "This will help protect the area and should contribute to improving air quality."

Havering Council confirmed vehicles over 7.5 tonnes will still be permitted to travel through the zone if they are delivering large items to residents or businesses.

Cabinet member for environment Osman Dervish said the council had listened to concerns about the village being used as a "rat run."

He explained: "We have decided to introduce CCTV cameras to help enforce against the high number of vehicles ignoring existing restrictions in the area.

"To ensure the scheme is fair there is exemption for some large vehicles.

"Businesses should apply to be on the exemption list – otherwise they will face a fine.

“We hope that by putting in the CCTV cameras residents will no longer have to put up with large vehicles driving through Rainham village – causing noise and pollution.”