Abnormal Loads
What is an Abnormal Load?
An abnormal load is a "load that cannot without undue expense or
risk or damage be divided into two or more loads for the purpose of
being carried on a road"
The main legal documents covering Abnormal Loads and vehicles
are:-
- The Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regulations 1986 -
usually referred to as 'Construction & Use' or 'C&U'
regulations.
- The Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations 1998 -
usually referred to as 'Authorised Weight' regulations.
- The Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (General)
Order 2003 - usually referred to as 'Special Types' or 'STGO'.
Special Types General Order (STGO) applies to vehicles that are
not covered in the C&U or Authorised Weight regulations. It
specifies when the Police, Highway Authority or Secretary of State
needs to be notified of an intended vehicle movement and the number
of days notice required before the movement takes place. The
minimum period of notice (in writing) is two clear days before the
intended movement. This will increase as the vehicle weight or size
increases.
Required Notice
| Gross weight of vehicle: |
|
|
|
Exceeding C&U limits up to 80,000kgs (78.74 tons)
|
|
2 clear days notice to Police and Highway Bridge Authority with
Indemnity |
| 80,000kgs up to 150,00kgs (147.63 tons) |
|
2 clear days notice to Police and Highway Bridge Authority with
Indemnity |
|
Exceeding 150,000kgs (147.63 tons)
|
|
Highways Agency (HA) Special Order applies plus 5 clear days
Notice to Highways and Bridge Authority with Indemnity |
| |
|
|
| Width: |
|
|
| Exceeding 2.9m (for C&U loads 3.0m (9' 10") up to 5.0m (16'
5") for other loads |
|
2 clear days notice to Police
|
| 5.0m (16' 5") up to 6.1m (20ft) |
|
HA form VR1 plus 2 clear days notice to Police |
|
Exceeding 6.1m (20ft)
|
|
HA Special Order applies plus 5 clear days notice to Police and
Highway Authority with Indemnity |
| |
|
|
| Length: |
|
|
|
18.65m (61' 2") up to 30.0m (98' 5") rigid
|
|
2 clear days notice to Police
|
| Exceeding 30.0m (98' 5") rigid |
|
HA Special Order applies plus 5 clear days notice to Police and
Highway Authority with Indemnity |
Notice Period
'Clear days notice' excludes
Saturdays, Sundays, Bank Holidays, Christmas Day and Good Friday
for Special Type vehicles only. There are no such exclusions in
Special Order movements.
Notification
For the convenience of the
hauliers we do not impose how the notification is laid out but it
must contain all the necessary information as stated in the STGO.
The haulier must also Indemnify the Council against any damage its
vehicle may cause to any road, bridge or other structure.
Note: Movement notifications can only be
accepted by fax.
Annual Indemnities
Cheshire East Council accepts Yearly Blanket Indemnities. These
Indemnities must be completed and returned in the post as we do not
accept signatures via the fax, please use our blank pro-forma
(PDF, 68KB).
Your guide to Abnormal Load routes through
Cheshire
Please download the map showing nominated routes for Abnormal
Loads travelling through Cheshire (PDF, 181KB).
For more information on the movement of abnormal loads through
Cheshire East please contact us.