A lorry watch campaign has been set up in Sandwich to stop lorries damaging medieval buildings.

It comes after many reports of HGV vehicles driving through the town and getting stuck in the narrow streets.

Historical buildings are being damaged and many believe pedestrians lives are at risk.

The initiative has been set up by Sandwich Town Team and is supported by KCC Freight.

It will see volunteers taking to the streets to record HGV vehicles and their activities.

There is a 7.5-tonne weight restriction on Ash Road and Ramsgate Road, but the Town Team is collecting evidence that this is being exceeded.

Chairman Cllr Sue Laslett said there should be length and height restrictions on vehicles.

She said: “Although there are weight restrictions on two of the four roads into the town, the HGV vehicles appear to be ignoring these warning signs or see them too late to take evasive action.

“Premises on Breezy Corner have been damaged at least three times so far this year due to large vehicles getting stuck at the junction but other properties on Strand Street, High Street and Moat Sole are also being damaged due to the double-decker buses and heavy lorries.”

In the next few months, the team plans to monitor activities to give a full report to KCC and the police.

The aim of the scheme is to raise awareness with companies in the area and encourage KCC to replace signs with much larger, more noticeable warnings.

Mrs Laslett said Scrumalicious Cake Company in Strand Street had its door frame taken off three times this year by vehicles turning too close to the building.

Pillory Gate House is constantly having tiles ripped off by passing vehicles, which Mrs Laslett said has happened so many times homeowners are no longer covered on their housing insurance.

She said this is due to sat navs leading vehicles through the town instead of using the bypass, adding: “We’re also concerned for pedestrians. It’s becoming increasingly hazardous to cross the road in Sandwich.”

The pictures show a lorry stuck at Breezy Corner in Sandwich last year.

Diversions were put in place after another lorry damaged Pillory Gate house and as a result this one was unable to negotiate the small road.

Sandwich Town Team chairman Cllr Sue Laslett said this is in no way an attack on Sainsbury’s as it could have been any lorry at any time.

As there are no Sainsbury’s supermarkets in Sandwich, she claimed this lorry could not have been making a delivery but was taking a short cut through the Cinque Port town.

This is an issue Sandwich Town Team will be working on over the next few months.

It currently has 10 volunteers but needs more to take action throughout July to September.

There will be a public sign-up event on Wednesday at the Guildhall meeting room from 2.30pm till 7pm.

For more information contact Cllr Sue Laslett on suelaslett@outlook.com.