Heavy Haulage Needs Fair Deal
Page 9
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
WITH the coming of motorways and other improved communications it was to be hoped that those responsible for large indivisible loads would be given sympathetic consideration when they applied to orders under the regulation just introduced, so that they would not be prised out of new developments, observed W. Ingham, of Pickfords, at an I.R.T.E. meeting in Manchester . on Monday.
Until the recent opening of the Runcorn Bridge over the Mersey, heavy equipment manufactured on one side of the river had, before shipment, to travel to Manc,hester in order to cross by bridges of sufficient strength. This meant a detour of 90 miles which inflicted substantial extra cost gm vital export orders. Planning for movement of exceptional loads might commence as much as five years ahead and, in the case of very large units, the manufacturers had to await paper clearance of the transport arrangement before they could proceed with finalizing their own projects.
Members of the public often asked why awkward loads could not be sent by other means than road. Actually this was often done and resulted in a combination of road-rail or road-sea transfer.
Two transformers, each weighing 123 tdns, had had to be delivered to the Central Electricity Generating Board at Blainau Ffestiniog and by special planning these were taken on rail to the nearest station. On their arrival the Pickfords unit had to jack them up to 8 ft. above the rail level and then inch them over a bus park which had previously been plated with ships plates to avoid subsidence, before even loading on to road vehicles for the final haul. Planning first started here in 1957 and deliveries were made four years later. Although the road journey was short, a considerable amount of running was involved for the vehicles.
20-ft. Loads Everywhere THE restriction to a 14-ft. maximum of
abnormal indivisible loads on special roads (mainly motorways) has been lifted. As from November 1 all such loads, or vehicles which are engineering plant, up to 20 ft. in width can move over all roads. This is the effect of the Motor Vehicles (Authorization of Special Types) (Amendment) Order. 1962— Statutory Instrument 1962 No. 2377.
The Order brings all loads. under 20 ft. ip width within the authority of Article 23 of the main Order. Special Orders are, of course, still necessary above this width.
Warning Signals NEW standardized warning signals for use by drivers at night may be on their way. The Traders' Road Transport Association is assessing the experience of member-firms over the question of providing drivers with methods of clearly indicating to other road users that a vehicle is stopped through emergency circumstances. With the new Road Traffic Act, the Minister of Transport possesses power to authorize signs for breakdown and other purposes. So far no official sign has been authorized.