Abnormal Loads Homepage
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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: |
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Exceeding C&U limits up to 80,000kgs (78.74 tons) |
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2 clear days notice to Police and Highway Bridge Authorities with Indemnity |
| 80,000kgs up to 150,00kgs (147.63 tons) |
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2 clear days notice to Police and five days notice to Highway Bridge Authorities with Indemnity |
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Exceeding 150,000kgs (147.63 tons) |
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Highways Agency (HA) Special Order applies plus 5 clear days Notice to Highways and Bridge Authorities with Indemnity |
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| Width: |
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| Exceeding 2.9m (for C&U loads 3.0m (9' 10") up to 5.0m (16' 5") for other loads |
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2 clear days notice to Police |
| 5.0m (16' 5") up to 6.1m (20ft) |
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HA form VR1 plus 2 clear days notice to Police |
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Exceeding 6.1m (20ft) |
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HA Special Order applies plus 5 clear days notice to Police and Highway Authorities with Indemnity |
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| Length: |
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18.65m (61' 2") up to 30.0m (98' 5") rigid |
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2 clear days notice to Police |
| Exceeding 30.0m (98' 5") rigid |
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HA Special Order applies plus 5 clear days notice to Police and Highway Authorities with Indemnity |
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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
The 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.
Your guide to Abnormal Load routes through Cheshire
Please download the map showing nominated routes for Abnormal Loads travelling through Cheshire.
For more information on the movement of abnormal loads through Cheshire please contact the:
Abnormal Loads Officer - Angela Watts
Telephone: 01244 973683
Fax: 01244 973910
Email: abnormal.loads@cheshire.gov.uk
Address: Engineering Service, Bridge Office, Backford Hall, Backford, Nr Chester, CH1 6EA
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