A TESCO delivery driver has admitted illegally crossing a weight restricted bridge.

He became the third person to be prosecuted for the same offence at the same spot in recent weeks.

John Green, 44, of Roach, East Tilbury, drove across the Ravenscroft Bridge, in Burnt Mills Road, Basildon.

However, his lorry was in breach of the 3-tonne weight restriction, which was put on the bridge to prevent damage being caused by heavy vehicles.

Green had been caught once previously breaching the weight restriction while driving the same 3.5-tonne van.

He had been given a warning by Trading Standards officers, but failed to take notice.

He was caught a second time and was charged with breaching a weight restriction.

Green admitted the offence at Basildon Magis-trates’ Court.

He was ordered to pay £400 in fines and costs.

His guilty plea comes following a crackdown on drivers’ flouting the law at the bridge.

Kevin Bentley, Essex county councillor responsible for Trading Standards, said: “Weight restrictions are placed on roads and bridges for good reason.

“Breaching them can cause costly damage to the infrastructure of our highways and place other drivers at risk.”

This prosecution comes just weeks after two van drivers pleaded guilty at Basildon Magistrates’ Court to the same offence at the same location.