New Restrictions on Big Loads : Users to Justify Road
Page 34
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Transport NEW restrictions on the movement of large or heavy loads by road are proposed by the Minister of Transport. It is suggested that consignors should have to justify the use of road transport.
A memorandum issued by the Ministry on Tuesday said that "the movement of bulky and heavy loads by road is relatively so easy and so cheap that many consignors do not ask themselves whether, in the interests of other road users, they could without undue expense use rail (or occasionally sea) transport as an alternative, or whether the load to be moved could be reduced in size and weight for transport purposes by simple dismantling, or. by redesigning, or by some change in the arrangements for reassembly at the destination."
The Minister now proposes that: (1) A special Order must be obtained from him to move a load of more than 125 tons gross (load and vehicles), instead of 150 tons as at present, or more than 18 ft. wide overall, instead of 20 ft., or more than 80 ft. long (load
and vehicle).
(2) Where the vehicle and its load are more than 12 ft. wide or 60 ft. long, the consignor must give 21 days' notice to the LicensMg Authority for the originating area.
In addition to particulars of dimensions, route and timing, applicants will have to explain why the load cannot be broken down into smaller units, and why other means for transport cannot be used for the whole or greater part of the journey.
Onus on Haulier
The movement will not be allowed to start until the applicant supplies the haulier with a certificate from the Licensing Authority stating that he sees no objection to the journey if a suitable route is available. The certificate will not, • however, exempt the haulier from compliance with other requirements of the General Order.
Unless the police direct otherwise, a vehicle carrying an abnormal indivisible load must halt for up to five minutes in every hour, at suitable points, to allow accumulated traffic to overtake.
(3) Notice will have to be given to the police in any case where the overall length of a load and its vehicle exceeds 40 ft., or where the overall length of the load and its carrier, together with other vehicles used in combination, exceeds 75 ft.
(4)Subject to Parliamentary approval the speed limit will be increased to 12 m.p.h., but the police will be able to impose a lower limit at any point of particular difficulty or danger.
Notice will have to be .given to the police where, in the movement of engineering plant, the length of a trailer exceeds 30 ft., or the combined
• length of the tractor and trailer (one or both of which is a piece of engineering plant) is more than 60 ft.
These proposals have been circulated to interested organizations, including the Road Haulage Association. They have until January 14 to submit their observations.