OVERWEIGHT bus drivers have been banned from getting behind the wheel in a new move from a Cumbrian bus operator.

Letters have been sent to staff by bosses at Stagecoach Cumbria warning them that they will not be able to take charge of a bus if they weigh more than 20 stone.

Phil Smith, operations manager for Stagecoach North West, said there were weight restrictions on certain fleet vehicles making them unsafe for larger employees.

“We have written to all members of staff who hold PCV licences advising them of this and asking them to speak to their managers if they think they might exceed that weight.

“If so they are checked out by medical professionals and if they are over the weight we prevent them from driving the vehicles concerned.

“We are working with those drivers individually and they will hopefully be in a position to reduce their weight through dietary guidance and exercise.”

Mr Smith said the restrictions only affected a small number of staff in Cumbria who can continue to drive the other fleet vehicles.

Those taken off driving duties are tasked with clerical work and labouring.

The firm said the weight limits do not apply to passengers. It says the issue is with drivers’ seats, because they are adjustable and the mechanisms have maximum safe working loads.

Trevor Pennington, manager at the Kendal depot, said he had five of the restricted vehicles in his fleet.

“We’re looking after our staff and our passengers,” he said. “We don’t want staff to get hurt and we don’t want our passengers to get hurt as a consequence.

But a driver from the Kendal depot – who did not wish to be named – said he knew a number of drivers who had been affected by the changes.

“There are at least six at this depot that it will affect and it’s their livelihood,” he said.

“One of our drivers who is over the weight limit has to have another bus allocated especially. It’s inconvenient for the driver and for the company.

“The rumour is that there was an accident with one of the town buses and a driver who was pushing 30 stone sat on a chair and it gave way on him.

“The fact is, doing this job means you often don’t get chance to sit down and eat properly.”

Alan McGuctin, regional organiser of Unite, said it was an “extremely sensitive issue” and the union would be urging Stagecoach to help drivers with dietary advice and seek suitable exercise regimes.

“Our view is that if drivers are going in the right direction to lose weight then they should be kept on.”