HTA issues guide to escorts
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• The Heavy Transport Association has submitted proposals to the Home Office which it hopes will establish standards in advance of the expected privatisation of police vehicle escort services next year. The HTA "Guide to safe movement of abnormal and indivisible loads using private escorts" was handed over on 9 September. It was just days after North Wales police appeared to have broken police ranks by outlining its proposal with regard to the escort of loads such as boats, caravans and portable cabins. Welsh hauliers in Colwyn Bay have been told by senior police officers that escorts for loads in such categories, not exceeding 4.5m in width, will no longer be provided by police. Such loads accounted for 980 out of 3,039 escorts last year in the area.
No date for the change has been fixed, but inspector John Hughes-Jones of the Western Traffic operational sup port division says a consultation process has begun with local operators. He says operators could provide their own escort. However, he adds, stipulations will be made concerning the vehicle used and the driver licence.
HTA says it is surprised by the North Wales initiative because the police have so far resisted moves by hauliers to do their own escorts.
The HTA guide calls for specific training for private escort operators, as well as the introduction of a licensing system.