Political and Parliamentary
Page 11
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Escorting Big Loads
I-1 A SHORT debate is to he held in the
Commons about police escorts for large loads on the road—and on the fact that no charges are made for this service.
Mr. David Gibson-Watt (Tory, Hereford) announced his intention to open such a debate after exchanges in the Commons with Mr. C. M. Woodhouse, Under Secretary at the Home Office.
Mr. Woodhouse explained that no charge was made for the escort because it was the duty of the police to regulate all traffic, and regulating these abnormal loads was just as much in the general interest of road users as it was in the general interest of the owners of the loads.
To this Mr. Gibson-Watt retorted that because there was no fee to be paid industrial owners were encouraged to put these large loads on the roads, to the great inconvenience of many people.
This was not entirely true, answered Mr. Woodhouse. because the Commissioner had to be notified in advance of any movement by road of an abnormal load. He could then decide the route it had to take, and also whether or not a police escort was needed.
He pointed out that there was also a requirement for authorization by the Minister of Transport for the movement of loads above certain dimensions and weight.