§ Lord Mason of Barnsleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why a wide load on 31 March was allowed to travel on the northbound carriageway of the M.1 between 3.30 pm and 5.30 pm; what police forces were involved in this wide load movement; at what cost; and what was the content of the wide load. [HL2017]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe timing of abnormal load movements is an operational matter for the individual chief officers of police of the forces concerned. I understand that this wide load travelled from South Mimms services (M.25) to Leicester Forrest services (M.1) on the afternoon of 31 March because, after taking account of the resources available to supply escorts and the prevailing traffic conditions, that was considered to be the most practicable timing. The police forces involved were Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Thames Valley, Northamptonshire and Leicestershire. The police made no charge for escorting the load. The load was a "Cold Box"—a part of a petroleum or petrochemical plant.
24WA
§ Lord Mason of Barnsleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What national guidelines are given to the police, local authorities, industry and commerce on the movements of wide loads on motorways during daylight and night-time; and[HL2029]
Whether they will issue directives to all police forces in England and Wales that no wide loads must be moved on motorways between 11 pm and 6 am. [HL2030]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe timing of abnormal load movements is an operational matter for the chief officers of police of the forces concerned. The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has issued guidance to forces which allows the night-time movement of abnormal loads only on motorways and linking dual carriageways. This is subject to individual chief officers of police being satisfied with the safety of such movements. ACPO policy is to allow and facilitate the movement of abnormal loads on motorways at all times.