POLICE have yet to fine goods vehicle drivers using a no-overtaking stretch of the A1(M) despite reports of lorries flouting the ban.

In an 18-month trial, which began in March, goods vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes were banned from using the outside lane on two uphill stretches of the motorway in County Durham, to reduce tailbacks.

But there appears to have been little enforcement of the rule, with police and the Highways Agency favouring a "hands-off" self-regulatory approach.

Police said that in the first month of operation, it had yet to fine lorry drivers overtaking on the 1.5-mile section south of Chester-le-Street and a 1.5-mile section south of Coxhoe, despite having the powers to do so.

Maxine Stubbs, a traffic management expert with the force, said: "The scheme is currently in its infancy, and it is too early to judge how successful the ban is being in reducing congestion in the areas concerned.

"We are monitoring the situation and will continue to work with the Highways Agency in this innovative scheme."

A motorist who regularly uses the motorway when travelling from the Chester-le-Street junction to Darlington, said: "On the whole, it seems to be working, but there have been several occasions where some HGVs seem to be unaware of, or are ignoring, the new restrictions.

"I am not saying these drivers should be prosecuted, but if the new rules are not enforced, it begs the question what is the point of it?"

A Highways Agency spokesman said it was hoped the restrictions would be self-regulating and that they were being monitored.

He said it was too early to say whether the scheme was having an impact in terms of reducing journey times by easing traffic congestion and cutting the risk of accidents caused by slow vehicles. He said: "Once the system has settled down after a few months, we will see if journey times have improved, which we hope they will."

The trial is a first for the North-East, although similar experiments have taken place in other parts of the country.

Such overtaking bans have been criticised by haulage groups, which say there is little evidence they contribute to safer and quicker journeys.