I am writing in response to the letter from Andrew Slade of Compton Bassett last week.

On behalf of Hills Waste Solutions I would like to offer sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused by the lorry that was pictured travelling through Compton Bassett.

While this was an independent haulier and not a Hills vehicle, it was delivering equipment to Hills’ Lower Compton site.

Hills specifies that its drivers do not use the road through Compton Bassett village and only access the Lower Compton site via the main A4 route. Hauliers and contractors visiting Lower Compton are advised to do the same but drivers unfamiliar with our location, travelling from northerly locations and relying on satellite navigation systems, are sometimes directed through Compton Bassett village.

I have spoken to the haulier involved and we have reissued Hills’ guidance on preferred routes to both Hills’ and contractors’ drivers visiting the Lower Compton site.

Hills takes road safety and driver behaviour seriously and is a member of an independent, national scheme called Well Driven? which aims to enhance road safety and encourage better driving. We have also adopted a good driving charter which all our drivers have signed up to. Hills vehicles have the Well Driven? logo displayed on them which includes a freephone number 0800 22 55 33 which members of the public can call to register their comments.

Mike Webster, Group director, Hills Waste Solutions.