HL Deb 26 July 2000 vol 616 c62WA
Viscount Simon

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress the Highways Agency has made in its study to identify the legal, fiscal and institutional issues involved in making changes to abnormal load movement procedures on the trunk road network. [HL3532]

Lord Whitty

The Highways Agency is keen to ensure that any changes to abnormal load movement procedures on the trunk road network do not disadvantage the safety and free flow of traffic on the network. The agency responded to the Home Office's consultation in January 1999 concerning the use of private escorts, supporting the principle. However it pointed out that suitable arrangements would need to be made where it would be necessary to switch from private to police escorts, most noticeably at motorway interchanges.