Abnormal Loads Will be Allowed on Motorways
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UNLESS overwhelming pressure is brought to bear upon the Minister of Transport, vehicles carrying abnormal indivisible loads up to 14 ft. wide will in future be freely allowed on motorways. Although the number of such loadscarried on Preston by-pass has not been large, the Ministerbelieves that they can in future safely be permitted on motorways without special restriction.
This freedom is proposed to be given in new regulations to supersede 'those which were made specially to cover Preston by-pass, and expire on August I.
The Minister is satisfied that generally the Special Roads (Classes of Traffic) Order, 1958, and the Motor Vehicles (Speed Limit on Special Roads) Regulations, 1958, have worked well. He sees no reason to vary the classes of vehicle, apart from special types, which have been allowed freely to use Preston bypass.
Generally, private and commercial vehicles of all kinds complying with the normal regulations for wheeled vehicles with pneumatic tyres and not drawing more than one trailer are permitted.
Locomotives, invalid carriages, pedestrian-controlled vehicles, motorcycles of of less than 50 c.c., and agricultural tractors are, and will continue to be, banned.
Vehicles carrying abnormal loads have been allowed to use Preston by-Pass by special authorization of the chief constable of Lancashire.
The Minister's proposals will involve an amendment to the Motor Vehicles (Authorization of Special Types) General Order, 1955. The net result will be that loads not exceeding 14 ft. wide will be permitted to travel on motorways without Prior authority, but notice will have to be given to highway and police authorities as prescribed in the General Order. Police will be allowed to direct variations in the time, date or route of a journey.
Abnormal loads more than 14 ft. wide will be able to use motorways only if authorized by an individual Order under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930.
There is to be no speed limit on motorways, other than the 40 m.p.h. restriction on a vehicle drawing a drawbar trailer with fewer than four wheels or with four close-coupled wheels.
Interested organizations have until June 19 to make representations on the Minister's proposals. The Road Haulage Association have referred the matter to their heavy haulage group, whose views are expected to be known by about June 8. They may ask for certain points to be clarified.