I run a small boat transQ. port business and among
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the boats we move are racing shells for rowing. For this purpose/use a 3-ton Bedford rigid about 26 ft long. What does the law state on overhang both forward and to the rear, and are these regulations likely to be amended in the near future?
AThe restrictions on vehicles carrying wide or long loads are contained in the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1973.
Regulation 13 43) (a) states that "Where a load is carried in such a manner that its weight rests on one vehicle being a heavy motor car or a trailer, the overall length of the heavy motor car or, as the case may be, of the trailer together with the length of any forward and of any rearward projection of the load shall not exceed 27.4 metres (89 ft 10.74 in)."
What this means, in effect, is that the length stipulated is the greatest length of a vehicle and load which will be allowed on the road under the .Construction and Use Regulations. However, there are certain conditions to comply with if the total length of vehicle and load is over 18.3 metres (60 ft).
For your particular application the special conditions are outlined in Regulation 131(7) which states "Where a load or part of a load carried by a vehicle consists, whether wholly or partly, of a boat used for racing and propelled solely by oars, the boat shall not be so carried that it has a forward or rearward projection: (a) exceeding 1.07 metres (3ft 6.12in) in length unless the conditions specified in Paragraphs 4 of Schedule 8 has been complied with; or (b) exceeding 3.05 metres (10ft 0.084in) in length unless the conditions specified in Paragraphs 1 and 4 of the Schedule have been complied with."
Paragraph 1 of the Schedule refers to notifying the police before undertaking the journey and Paragraph 4 stipulates that the projections should be made visible to other persons using the road.
The reply given here is based on your use of a rigid vehicle but if you contemplate using an articulated vehicle or one which carries fixed appliances or apparatus, you should be aware that other parts of the Regulations apply.
It is unlikely that the Regulations will be amended in the near future.