THEY have been thundering past people’s homes day and night for longer than the occupants care to remember.

But HGVs could finally be banned from the centre of a Hampshire town following a long campaign by residents angry at the pollution and vibration being caused by the huge vehicles.

Lorry drivers going to and from Southampton often take a short cut through Totton town centre instead of using motorways or the bypass.

Now vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes will be prevented from using roads in the parish under plans being drawn up by the county council.

Transport chiefs are determined to make truckers stick to the M27, the M271 and the A326.

The move has been welcomed by Totton county councillor David Harrison, a former chairman of Totton and Eling Town Council.

He said: “An HGV restriction will help make the town a cleaner, safer and less noisy place.

"It will be particularly welcome in Salisbury Road and Ringwood Road, where residents have had problems with sleeping because of the noise and vibration from HGVs. It will also make our roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

"There’s no need for many HGVs to be travelling through the town centre when they can easily use the bypass.”

The proposed lorry ban was revealed at a meeting of the town council.

Members paid tribute to former county councillor Edith Randall, who spent years campaigning for HGVs to be banned from the town.

Cllr Sean Woodward, the county council’s executive member for economy, transport and environment, confirmed that a 7.5-tonne weight restriction was being proposed as part of the authority’s 2013/2014 traffic management programme.

He said the ban aimed to reduce the number of lorries travelling through Totton by encouraging greater use of the motorway network.

“It will also address the environmental impact this traffic has on Totton, which has been a concern to residents,” he said.

HGVs will be banned from using Salisbury Road, Ringwood Road and surrounding residential areas, except for access, if the scheme is approved.

The proposed lorry-free zone is bounded by the A36 to the east, Cooks Lane to the north and the railway line to the south.

A Traffic Regulation Order is currently being advertised and public comments invited.

Full details can be viewed at Totton Library, the New Forest District Council offices at Lyndhurst and online at hants.gov.uk/publicnotices.