Two operators have been ordered to pay total fines and court costs of more than £1,400 for Safer Lorry Scheme (SLS) violations.

The scheme, developed by Transport for London (TfL), London Councils and Heathrow Estates, was launched in September 2015 and ensures vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes, entering London, must be fitted with sideguards and Class V and Class VI mirrors.

This is to protect cyclists from being dragged under the wheels in the event of a collision and to give the driver a better view of cyclists and pedestrians.

D & R Grab Hire Limited was stopped by officers and found to be in breach of the SLS traffic regulation order by having no Class VI  mirrors or sideguards on its vehicle.

It appeared at the City of London Magistrates Court on December 9, 2015, and was fined a total of £500. It was also ordered to pay £235 in police and court costs.

What a Load of Rubbish Limited was also stopped and found to be in breach of the SLS traffic regulation order by having no Class VI mirrors or sideguards on its vehicle.

It appeared at the City of London Magistrates Court on December 9,2015, where it was fined a total of £500 and ordered to pay £235 in police and court costs.

Steve Burton, TfL’s director of enforcement and on-street operations, said: “Road safety is a high priority for us and we’re committed to ensuring all roadusers are safe when travelling on London’s roads.

"These non-compliant operators represent a small minority on our streets.

"We hope these prosecutions send out a clear message that we will continue to protect and secure our roads and push for the toughest penalties for anyone caught operating unlawfully.”

SLS is part of the Mayor’s £913 million Vision for Cycling, which includes new segregated superhighways, safer junctions, and backstreet Quietway routes.

Since the scheme's launch, 5,610 vehicles have been targeted and stopped, with 269 of those identified as non-compliant.

The ongoing work of the SLS team has cut in half the rate of non-compliance by drivers in London to just over 4.7%.