Only 3 out of 106 abnormal loads are fully compliant. Following a recent campaign by the West Midlands and Staffordshire police, the RHA and the Heavy Transport Association are warning operators to ensure that they are compliant.
The two police forces involved in operation Nightstare monitor one of the busiest parts of the United Kingdom’s motorway network. During the operation, out of 106 loads stopped and inspected, only 3 were fully compliant with the rules regarding the movement of abnormal loads.
To move loads over certain weights and sizes you must be granted a movement order (see below for the limits) from each police force area your journey will travel through. The simplest way to do this is using the National Highways Electronic Service Delivery for Abnormal Loads ESDAL.
Electronic Service Delivery for Abnormal Loads (ESDAL) – National Highways
There is a host of information that can be found on this link. Including recommended routes throughout the UK for both heavy and high routes.
Let’s take a look at just a few things you need to consider:
Heavy Loads –
- Gross weight exceeding C&U limits up to 80,0000 Kg (78.74 tons) will require two clear days’ notice to the police and indemnity to Road and Bridge Authorities.
- Gross weight exceeding 80,000 Kg – 150,000Kgs will require two clear days’ notice to the police and 5 clear days with indemnity to Road and Bridge Authorities.
- Gross weight of exceeding 150,000 Kg will require a special order plus 5 days’ clear notice to the Police and the Bridge Authorities.
Wide Loads –
- Loads exceeding 2.9 meters (9ft 6ins) to 4.3 meters (14ft 1ins) would still be under construction and use rules. Over this would be considered STGO 1 regardless of weight. STGO loads between 3.0m and 5m require two clear days’ notice to the police.
- Between 5m and 6.1m a Highways England VR1 form must be submitted plus two clear days’ notice to the police.
- Over 6.1m requires a Highways England Special order plus five days’ clear notice to the police and Bridge Authorities, with indemnity to road and bridge authorities
Long Loads –
- Over 18.65m up to 27.5 under C&U or STGO exceeding 18.75 and overall length of a two-part vehicle combination exceeding 25.9m two clear days’ notice to the police (always check C&U regs and STGO regs for a clear definition of lengths allowed.
- Exceeding 30.0m a Highways England special order plus five clear days’ notice to the police and Bridge Authorities with indemnity.
If you think that’s enough to be sorting out, you will also need to consider
- Escort arrangements
- Load security
- The lighting of the load
For specialist training and advice on abnormal loads call us now.
