Hauliers wishing to move "abnormal loads" must inform the highway and bridge authorities of the routes they intend to use in advance. Wiltshire Council is one such authority; the others are the Highways Agency, Network Rail, British Waterways Board and Wiltshire Police.
Wiltshire Council liaises with the police and hauliers and check all the routes submitted for height, weight, width and axle load restrictions. They will also re-route the vehicles if necessary.
The Council makes sure the hauliers have the correct indemnity policies to cover any damage that maybe incurred whilst travelling through the County.
Abnormal Loads through Wiltshire
The Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regulations 1986 (C &U Regs) are the basic rules which govern the way in which motor vehicles and trailers are built and operated. Generally all vehicles and trailers constructed in this country comply with these rules, however because the regulations also govern operating widths, lengths, and weights, it is quite possible by careless loading to exceed these criteria. Failure to comply with the regulations is a criminal offence.
Some vehicles or vehicle/trailer combinations just cannot comply with these regulations because they are built to do special jobs, or have to move bulky loads. The Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (General) Order 2003 (STGO) gives dispensation for some of the C & U Regulations (mainly those dealing with weight and size limits) to specific kinds of vehicles on condition that special rules are obeyed. These rules are aimed at reducing traffic congestion, and safeguarding bridges. Failure to comply with any of the STGO conditions means that the exemptions from the C & U Regulations can no longer be claimed and offences be committed under the C & U Regulations.
More information can be obtained from the Highways Agency website, where forms and guides are available to download.In addition to observing legal requirements outlined on the website please take particular note of the following:
Bridge and Power Lines
If you are moving a high load or vehicle, you are strongly recommended to survey the route beforehand to check that it can pass safely beneath bridges and cables, and to contact Electricity Boards along the route, if the vehicle exceeds 5.03m in height.
The C & U Regulations require that where the highest point on the vehicle or load is more than 3.66m high, a notice showing the height must be displayed in the cab to help the driver know whether he can get under a bridge or lines safely.
Level Crossings
Some level crossings have a slight hump and a long low vehicle could become grounded with possibly disastrous results. On those level crossings which also have overhead power lines, the hump can affect the apparent height of any high projecting load, and this could come closer than is safe to the electric cables. Therefore, if you are driving a low loader or vehicle with a high, long load or jib, be sure to take notice of the special road signs at level crossings.
Wiltshire County Boundary
Three Highway Authorities operate within the geographical boundary of Wiltshire Council. They are:-
- Wiltshire Council – Non trunk roads and motorways within the former North Wiltshire, West Wiltshire, Kennet and Salisbury District Councils
- Swindon Borough Council – Non trunk roads and motorways within the Swindon Borough Council boundary.
- Highways Agency – Trunk roads and motorways
In addition to this there are two bridge authorities, namely:-
- Network Rail
- British Waterways Board
Depending on the chosen route, one, some or all of these authorities may need notification.
Contact Details (LiveLink)
Multiple Contacts:
Postal Address:
Wiltshire Council
Abnormal
Loads Officer
Department of Neighbourhood and Planning
County Hall
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14
8JD
Email: bridges@wiltshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01225 713225
Fax: 01225 771600
Alternatively routes may be submitted via the ESDAL Web Portal
Swindon Borough Council
Telephone: 01793 463040
Fax: 01793 466349
Network Rail
Telephone: 01793 515898
Fax: 01793 515723
British Waterways
Telephone: 01452 318000
Fax: 01452 318076
Wiltshire Constabulary
Most notices will also need to be sent to the Wiltshire Constabulary, which operates over the whole of the geographical boundary of the county.
Telephone: 01380 734123
Fax: 01380 734135
eMail:
Telephone:
Out of hours:
Fax:
Postal Address:
In Person:
DX:
Last updated: 15 August 2011
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