After attending an Industry Liaison Meeting, the association wishes to bring the following areas of Abloads movement compliance to your attention.

West Midlands & Staffordshire Police who are responsible for policing the M5, M5, M6 Toll, M54, Aston Expressway, M42 and A500 are actively targeting abnormal load movements through an ongoing 'Operation Nightstare' to ensure loads are being transported legally, safely, and compliantly.

The HTA have been advised that, to date, 106 movements have been stopped with only 3 being satisfactory compliant.

You must ensure that the details recorded on the movement order are correct & you give 2 days or 5 days’ notice (whichever is required) or if Special Order and VR1 the movement must not commence until the allotted date/time, with permits issued.  Failure to provide accurate information could result in having your vehicle/s impounded.

In addition, the following must be in order:

• Gross Vehicle & Axle Weights must be as per movement order and are not design weight exceeded
• Marker boards must be fitted correctly and in accordance with STGO regulations and or National Highways guidance
• Load dimensions must be accurately recorded within the movement order
• Height of load must be known & displayed in the vehicle
• Check to see if an Escort vehicle is required, if so, use one
• Adhere to embargo times
• Correct STGO CAT board located on front of vehicle
• Correct speed is maintained for categorisation of load or axle loadings
• Load must be adequately secured – refer to DVSA load securing guidance & the Categorisation of defects
• Vehicle and trailer must be in a roadworthy condition - suitable for the load being transported, correctly taxed & insured.
• Driver vocational licence, driver CPC & Digital card must be valid
• Vehicle (including any Escort vehicle), goods in transit & Indemnity insurances must be valid

Guidance documents:

• Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (General) Order 2003 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/1998/contents/made
• Aide Memoire for notification requirements for the movement of Abnormal Indivisible Loads or vehicles by road when not complying with The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (commonly known as C & U) https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/503103/Aide_Memoire_updated_Sep_2015.pdf
• DfT - Overhanging Loads: a brief guide https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/362006/A_brief_guide_to_overhanging_loads.pdf
• DVSA Load Securing - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/load-securing-vehicle-operator-guidance/load-securing-vehicle-operator-guidance
• Lighting and marking for abnormal loads vehicles code of practice - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lighting-and-marking-for-abnormal-loads-vehicles-code-of-practice

Failure to meet all requirements may result in enforcement action which will have a detrimental effect on your & your customer businesses. Furthermore, all offences may be notified to the Traffic Commissioner.