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Welcome to The Heavy Transport Association

The Heavy Transport Association (HTA) is the only specialist Trade Association for the heavy/abnormal load industry.  Members include abnormal load hauliers, truck/trailer manufacturers, route surveyors, permit agents, consultants, abnormal load escorters, ferry owners, infrastructure owners/managers, equipment manufacturers and abnormal loads officers.  HTA members are consequently a highly specialist group of operators with very different needs over other sectors of the transportation industry. 

The HTA welcomes eligible new members and you can now apply to join online.


Image courtesy of Allelys Heavy Haulage Ltd

Our History

The HTA was formed in 1983 by a group of heavy haulage operators struggling to cope with less than clear regulations regarding the movement of abnormal loads.  It seemed apparent that enforcement authorities/police officers were not happy to have abnormal loads on the roads and so the operators decided that something had to be done.  Initial meetings were informal and then as news of the meetings spread, more and more operators wanted to attend - that was 40 yrs ago.

HTA Core Values

Advise: We advise members so they operate safely/within legislation.

Represent: We represent our members at a local and national level.  We lobby Ministers and Government, attend liaison meetings, respond to consultations and publish articles in a range of trade publications.

Develop: We develop and introduce new National training standards, industry best practice as well as cultivating relationships with other like-minded trade associations and bodies.

HTA Training


HTAProtect is for paid-up members seeking access to legal advice in connection with transport-related legal issues.  The HTA has negotiated free access for its members to Dyne Solicitors' Transport Law telephone advice scheme covering road transport law, operator licensing and commercial litigation issues.

Access is subject to reasonable user and a limit of 2 hours per member in any period of 12 months. Telephone advice in this context means communication over the telephone with a solicitor employed by Dyne Solicitors Limited for purposes of providing general legal advice.

Announcements/Latest News

What HTA Membership Delivers

  • Lobby and campaign on behalf of members on the subjects that matter to them.
  • Keeps abreast of UK Legislation: The HTA has access to legal advice via the Secretariat so that any issues arising are dealt with in a timely manner.   
  • The HTA is also the UK Member of ESTA, the leading European association for the abnormal load transport and mobile crane industry - providing insight into operations and networking opportunities with European industry operators.
  • Free legal advice and guidance via HTAProtect.
  • News: Periodic updates and members news on the website.
  • HTA Approved Training Centres - training for Escort Drivers and Escort Managers leading to City & Guilds certificates of competence.
  • Member meetings – raise/discuss the issues affecting the industry.
  • Representation at Industry Liaison Meetings.


Contact Us:-

The Heavy Transport Association,
The White House, High Street,
Tattenhall, Chester, Cheshire CH3 9PX

eMail: info@hta.uk.net
Call: (+44) 1829 773 104




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