POLICE are cracking down on lorry drivers who are using a Bury residential estate as a “rat run”.

Drivers of trucks weighing more than 7.5 tonnes who are illegally using Willow Street as a shortcut to the M66 were targeted during a special operation.

The problem was raised at a local “partners and community together” meeting by residents of the Trees Estate and it has been adopted as one of Bury East’s policing priorities.

Last week, officers from Bury East neighbourhood policing team (NPT) stationed themselves at the top of Willow Street — which has a 20mph speed limit — and stopped HGVs attempting to make their way down the road.

The drivers were reminded of the regulations relating to trucks of more than 7.5 tonnes using the road, and were addressed by residents who explained the impact that drivers’ actions have, both on their quality of life and the safety of their children.

Inspector Charlotte Cadden of the Bury East NPT said: “On this occasion the drivers were simply warned about their actions and I am sure the residents’ testimonies would have been a real wake-up call to them. However, in the future we will not hesitate to take legal action against selfish drivers who persistently flout the law to save themselves a paltry few minutes.”

Headteacher of East Ward Primary School Ross McMurdo said: “I very much welcome this action taken by the police.”