Walsall Trading Standards has completed a borough-wide inspection of weighbridges, with several found to be operating inaccurately.
The four-day operation, carried out between 3 and 6 February 2026, involved checks on 21 weighbridges used to measure heavy vehicles. The exercise aimed to ensure equipment is working correctly and to reduce the risk of overloaded vehicles on local roads.
Officers used specialist equipment during the inspections, placing one-tonne test weights onto each weighbridge using a forklift. This allowed them to assess whether the systems were providing accurate readings under real working conditions.
Following the checks, five weighbridges were found to be inaccurate. Operators have now been given 28 days to carry out repairs and bring their equipment back into compliance.
Councillor Adam Hicken, Portfolio Holder for Enforcement and Safe Communities at Walsall Council, said:
“ Accurate weighing is about more than just fair trade; it is a matter of public safety. When weighbridges are incorrect, there is a real risk of vehicles being overloaded, which puts immense strain on our road infrastructure and increases the danger for every road user and pedestrian in Walsall. These inspections show our commitment to holding operators accountable and ensuring our borough remains safe.
Ensuring the accuracy of weighing and measuring equipment is a cornerstone of public protection. Whether it is a jeweller’s scale, a petrol pump, a spirit measure in a pub, or a 50-ton weighbridge, these checks ensure that both businesses and the public receive exactly what they pay for. “
The work forms part of a wider regional effort, with similar inspections recently carried out by the Central England Trading Standards Authorities (CEnTSA). In some neighbouring areas, up to half of weighbridges checked required repairs, with a small number taken out of service entirely due to serious inaccuracies.
Walsall Council says it will continue to carry out targeted enforcement activity to protect consumers, support responsible businesses and improve safety across the borough.
More information about Trading Standards services in Walsall can be found at:
https://go.walsall.gov.uk/business/trading-standards