Members have recently reported that auto responses received from several Police Constabularies concerning abnormal load notifications requiring an attendant to be present in the cab during transporting of a qualifying abnormal load.

An example of the wording from an auto response sent by a constabulary is set out below:

“If a load exceeds total width of 3.5m, or a length of 18.65m (not including towing unit), or a rear projection of 3.05m or a front projection of 2m, then another person is required in addition to the driver within the cab of the vehicle moving the load. This must not be someone from a self-escort vehicle and an additional hand is required in the vehicle transporting the load”.

The HTA’s position is as follows:

1. As the Police’s position with regards to stating that a self-escort cannot be the attendant, we do not agree with their interpretation.
2. Our view, having reviewed both C&U & STGO is that it is simply someone to accompany and attend to the vehicle/load. It does not specify that they must be in the cab.
3. See below extract of Sch 6 STGO 2003 on attendants and STGO enforcement guide for reference.

SCHEDULE 6

ATTENDANTS

Article 12(1), 14(1), 15(4), 23(3), 24(5), 31(3) and 34(4)

1. A person (“an attendant”) must be employed—

(a) to accompany the vehicle or vehicle-combination;

(b) to attend to the vehicle or to all vehicles comprised in the combination;

(c) to attend to any load or loads carried on such vehicle or vehicles; and

(d) to give warning to the driver of the vehicle or vehicle-combination, and to any other person, of any danger likely to be caused to such other person by reason of the presence on the road of the vehicle or vehicle-combination

EXTRACT OF STGO ENFORCEMENT GUIDE - Special types enforcement guide - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

8. Attendants

An attendant is required where:

Where an attendant is needed they can travel in the vehicle according to the STGO or Special Order movement. Alternatively they can travel in an escort vehicle, providing that they are:

Where 3 or more loads are travelling in convoy, only the first and last vehicles need an attendant.

HTA action and outcome

The HTA brought the concerns of members to the attention of the specific constabularies and the HTA’s position regarding attendants as set out above.

We have received a response confirming that constabularies will be making changes to ensure they are operating as they should be.

We suspect this may not be immediate, but we urge members to report to us should they continue to receive auto responses from police forces requiring that an attendant be present in the cab and/or that self-escorts cannot be attendants.

Crane rental companies around Europe are reporting growing issues with the use of AdBlue - some suggesting almost one third of all on-road breakdowns seem to be AdBlue related.  A key concern is that if the AdBlue system malfunctions (perhaps because the engine is too cold) then the crane’s engine can lose power or even shut down, with potentially dangerous consequences.

Reports suggest that similar problems can face Trucks and SPMT operators, a particular concern during load outs.

As a first step, ESTA has decided to gather information (to include Trucks in the analysis) and will then consult with members of the European Regulations Workgroup and decide on the next steps.  The HTA is  the UK representative member of ESTA, the leading European association for the abnormal road transport and mobile crane rental industry.

ESTA have produced an online form to allow members to easily submit information about problems with the use of AdBlue in Trucks, mobile cranes and SPMTs - click here.  To gather information from as many operators as possible, this survey is open to non-HTA members.

The enquiry will only take a few minutes to complete, and your responses will help ESTA in making their case with the engine manufacturers.

We urge members to complete the enquiry form as the results may reveal industry-wide issues with AdBlue systems which ESTA can review and progress with the engine manufacturers.

This news item has now been updated/superseded - click here for latest news. 

In Co-operation with the HTA, Gwent Police are exploring options to a route for lifting Embargo Times for a small proportion of Abnormal Loads to assist the industry.

This trial will commence for Mobile Cranes within the Gwent Police Force area initially and will be evidence led based on traffic data to pave the way for expansion of the trial.  It is hoped that neighbouring forces will also come on board during the trial as the HTA and Gwent Police Commercial Vehicle Unit work together to make this a success.

The first stage of the trial will only apply to mobile cranes starting on Monday 15th July 2024 with set conditions.

The Mobile Crane MUST:-

• Be a motor vehicle that’s specially designed or built to carry out lifting operations
• A motor vehicle which has a crane permanently mounted as part of the vehicle chassis design (the definition excludes lorry mounted cranes)
• Have a Gross Vehicle Weight of 80T or Less
• Have a Maximum Width of 3m
• Have a Maximum Length of 25.9m
• Will be implemented subject to regular review for the trial period over 3 months
• Will comply with any specific embargo conditions that may be implemented during the course of the trial such as no travel during one off peak times such as football matches, concerts, which will be notified in advance to opted in operators

No Embargo Routes

The routes currently covered will expand during the trial as data becomes available to rationalise any decisions made. Main routes covered by the embargo include:

• M4 between J28 and J22
• A48 Between J24 and J28
• A449
• A40
• A465

Operators wishing to opt into this trial will need to request to be included by contacting george.john@Gwent.police.uk.

Operators will need to provide their company operating name, transport manager name and best contact information including eMail and phone number in order to receive updates and additional information as the trial progresses.

If the operator utilising any of the embargo exempt routes as part of their journey requires to utilise other roads in order to reach their destination, this will be permitted on a case-by-case basis for the period of the trial and an email will need to be submitted to request authority at least 48hrs in advance of movement.

Additional information will be released in due course to operators opted in and the HTA to see how this trial could be potentially expanded for other operators in addition to mobile cranes within the industry

Operators not opted into the trial will have no Embargo exemption.

ESTA has identified the lack of parking spaces and rest facilities for HGV drivers in general and Abnormal Transport drivers in particular as one of our focal points.  ESTA is a member of ESPORG (European Secure Parking Organisation - developing better and safer parking spaces for all goods transport).  Consequently ESTA has been invited to join a study on the requirements for truck parking in the EU. This is a UK problem as well as in the EU so it is important that we, as an industry, make our voices heard.

ESTA (European Association of Abnormal Road Transport and Mobile Cranes) is the unique European arm for trade associations representing abnormal load operators, access platforms and mobile cranes. The HTA is the UK representative of ESTA.

We would appreciate if you could take part in the survey below and share it with your employees, colleagues and network.  This survey is part of the Study on the availability of suitable rest facilities for professional drivers and of secured parking facilities, as well as on the development of safe and secure parking facilities in the EU (MOVE/C1/SER/2023-138).  The Study is commissioned and funded by the European Commission. We need the input of drivers, coach operators, transport companies and other stakeholders in the industry.

Your feedback will play a significant role in helping understand the current situation better and to identify areas where improvements can be made as well as developing effective solutions to enhance the well-being and safety of professional drivers across Europe.

Click here for online survey

West Midlands Police has reiterated to the Abnormal Loads Group (ALG) that operators are not mandated to hire police officers to escort abnormal loads as a matter of course in their area.

Hauliers must notify police when they’re moving abnormal loads when specific dimensions and or weight thresholds are reached but are free to ‘self-escort’ unless they feel they need to pay for officers to assist.

This confirmation comes after hauliers had reported that the West Midlands officers had insisted that they must hire officers to escort.  The force said they’re committed to working with hauliers and will continue to support with escort where appropriate. 

The ALG recently revealed that inconsistent police enforcement on abnormal loads across the country is costing the economy up to *£584m per year.

If ANY police force in England or Wales has INSISTED you pay for officers to escort a load since 8 April 2024, if you did not intend to, please bring to our attention using this simple online form (also open to non-members).

*The Costs of increased police enforcement of Abnormal Loads regulations - CEBR (Centre for Economics and Business Research).

DFDS have placed an embargo on abnormal load shipments from Dover commencing Tuesday 23rd April 2024 from 7:00am until 12:00pm 1st May 2024 - read more

West Midlands Police has clarified their position on the escorting of abnormal loads by police in their force area.

Hauliers had reported that the force insisted firms moving abnormal loads must request and pay for officers to escort them on every occasion where the force deemed it necessary, regardless of whether they felt they needed them.

West Midlands Police Chief Constable has confirmed that operators are not mandated to hire police officers to escort abnormal loads as a matter of course in their area, and there should always be other options available.

Hauliers must notify police when they’re moving abnormal loads when specific dimensions and or weight thresholds are reached but are free to ‘self-escort’ unless they feel they need to pay for officers to assist.

If ANY police force in England or Wales has INSISTED you pay for officers to escort a load since 8 April 2024, if you did not intend to, please bring to our attention using this simple online form (also open to non-members).

The HTA wholeheartedly welcomes the announcement by ESTA that the EU Parliament supports harmonisation of national rules and removal of administrative and operational bottlenecks on indivisible loads (see ESTA Press Release below).

HTA Chairman, Marcus Gough commented "We are delighted with this news and send our congratulations to our ESTA colleagues who have worked towards this goal for several years.  Our members are crucial for the prosperity of the UK economy through their work in the renewable energy, infrastructure, oil and gas, heavy industry and power generation sectors.  The fact that the European Parliament recognises the importance of harmonising Abload moves across borders should act as a clarion wake up call to UK notifiable enforcement to act in synergy.  Abnormal load transport is an international business that regularly crosses borders."

Gough continues, warning "Of late, UK enforcement agencies has become more, rather than less dysfunctional for Abload movements; and whilst this announcement still remains very good news, especially for our members with international operations, the UK is clearly no longer an EU member.  We therefore strongly urge UK Government to recognise the very real economic cost implications to UK Plc of not acting harmoniously with our closest trading bloc on this issue".

The HTA was formed over 40yrs ago to represent the interests of a sector coping with unclear, inconsistent regulation and enforcement.

ESTA (European Association for Abnormal Road Transport and Mobile Cranes) is the leading European association for the abnormal road transport and mobile crane rental industry with members in 27 countries. The HTA are ESTAs UK representatives and held the presidency of ESTA (former HTA Chairman, David Collett) for a record 9 years.

ESTA Press Release 3 2024.pdf

The association is pleased to report clarification received from West Midlands Police regarding abnormal load description on notification submissions.  Members had reported that West Midlands Police were requiring full descriptions including particulars, description and profiles of all loads that were being notified, this was in addition to the dimensions given for the load carrying AILV.

After engagement with West Midlands Police, we have received the following “I can confirm, that based on feedback from the HTA and its’ members, we have now changed our working practices and no longer require or ask for load detail specifics on Con & Use notifications.  Although this is helpful for us in planning, the HTA and its members are right in that, that detail is not required in law”

However, to be clear, Schedule 5 of STGO Regs 2003 para 4 part C still do require the particulars, description and profile of any load moved under STGO (although, specifics on the make and model of the load are not required as not covered in legislation).

We welcome this clarification and change in working practices from West Midlands Police, this will help members reduce administrative burden that the prior position had brought.

It has recently come to the attention of the HTA that several Police forces appear to have changed their position on the requirements for such loads to be escorted and are subsequently charging operators for the service.  This can be challenged.

We should like to remind you that there is no legislation in England & Wales that covers Police escorting practice, nor for that matter self/private escorting, there is provision for an attendant to be present for the whole of the journey for any vehicle/combination or load type that fulfils the criteria under which set of regs an abnormal load move takes place, be it C&U or STGO.  Custom and practice of the in-cab attendant has migrated to an accompanying private/self-escort.  The current guidance to Police is to “encourage hauliers to use self or private escorts”.

After an abnormal load notification is submitted (to the Police) any constabulary that indicate a Police escort is required in the interest of road safety, are then obliged to provide that service without cost to the notifying operator as a normal operational Policing duty.  There may be time to allow for the constabulary in question to arrange suitable resources, and they may elect to dictate the time, date of the move, under current guidance the time allowed is a minimum of 8 days to arrange.

If, after conducting your own risk assessment and route survey, there is a requirement for Police escort to stop/direct traffic or to assist in what would normally be an unlawful manoeuvre on the public road (wrong siding a roundabout for example) then this would need to be requested by the notifying operator as a Special Police Service (SPS) which is chargeable.  Where a load is required to negotiate a single ‘pinch point’ on a route that would otherwise not be deemed to require an escort, police assistance may be provided without charge, subject to availability.

The question of chargeable and non-chargeable Police services has been clarified by caselaw.

We encourage all operators and self escorters to comply with the National Highways Agency/ACPO Code of Practice, although this a voluntary code and can only be used for evidential purposes in the event of an incident occurring, it is evidence of good practice and a standard to which the associations subscribe to.

The Association continues dialogue both directly and as part of a wider Abloads working group (incl the HTA SAbLE project), with individual Police Officers, Police Groups/Constabularies and The National Police Chiefs Council to the betterment and safety of the industry.

You will find links to the current Abnormal Load Police guidance document along with National highways CoP for self-escorting on our Info page.

The Association and its committee are here to advise and support you, any questions you may have relating to this topic, can be directed in the first instance to HTAadmin@HeavyTransportAssociation.org.uk.  Please do bear in mind we are a fully voluntary committee and there may be a delay in a response to your question.