HC Deb 19 December 1997 vol 303 cc351-2W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will restrict movements of heavy and wide loads to off-peak periods. [21494]

Ms Glenda Jackson

Proposed movements of vehicles and loads in excess of 80 tonnes and those in excess of 2.9 metres in width are required to be notified to the police. The timing of the movement is at the discretion of the Chief Officer(s) of police in the area(s) in which the movement is to take place. The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has recommended to Police Forces that abnormal loads should, where possible, be moved at off-peak periods, including, where it is safe to do so, the hours of night. In timing the movement of such loads, it must be recognised that large loads frequently require police escort. This places considerable demands on resources and the Police service generally finds it difficult to provide a flexible escort service because other operational policing requirements frequently have to take priority at short notice. This can mean that Police Forces are sometimes left with no alternative but to escort loads at busy periods.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what regulations govern the movement of heavy and wide loads on the motorway network. [21493]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The movement of heavy and wide loads on all types of roads is governed by either the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, the Special Types General Order 1979 or in the case of loads greater than 150 tonnes or wider than 6.1 metres by Order made under Section 44 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 issued by my Department. Movements of any load in excess of 5.0 metres is also subject to the agreement of my Department. Vehicles and loads in excess of 38 tonnes are required to be notified to the highway and bridge authorities on the proposed route. Those over 80 tonnes in weight and those in excess of 2.9 metres wide are required to be notified to the police areas in which the route passes.