Police-escorted Wide Loads

HC Deb 17 January 2000 vol 342 cc317-8W

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost to(a) businesses and (b) the economy of the movement of police-escorted wide loads between 7am and 7pm. [105021]

Mr. Boateng

No such estimates have been made.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many journeys have been made in each of the last five years by police-escorted wide loads. [105020]

Mr. Boateng

The information requested is not available centrally.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will require police-escorted wide loads to travel during the night. [105019]

Mr. Boateng

The 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 allow night time movement of abnormal loads on motorways and linking dual carriageways. This is subject to individual chief officers of police being satisfied with the road safety of such movements. ACPO policy is to allow and facilitate the movement of abnormal loads on motorways at all times.