Abnormal loads

Abnormal loads and abnormal vehicles

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”

An abnormal vehicle is:

“one that cannot meet normal vehicle standards”

For most practical purposes this usually means a vehicle that exceeds 44 tonnes gross weight, wider than 2.90m, or has a rigid length longer than 18.75m. There are no legal height restrictions but hauliers are recommended to advise Highway Authorities of vehicles higher than 5m.

On average Shropshire County Council receives 115 notifications per month relating to abnormal load movements through the county of which 80 relate to the movement on County Council roads.

The main legal documents covering abnormal loads and vehicles are:
1. The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 – usually referred to as “Construction and Use” or “C&U” Regulations.
2. The Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations 1998 – usually referred to as “Authorised Weight” Regulations.
3. The Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types)(General) Order 2003 – usually referred to as “Special Types” or “STGO”.

The Construction and Use Regulations describe the different types and classification of permitted vehicles for use on the highway, for example motor cars, motorbikes, buses, lorries, mobile cranes, and tracked vehicles. It also states the maximum dimensions for each type of vehicle, its gross weight, number of axles, braking system, type of tyres, maximum speed, exhaust system and mirrors.

The Authorised Weight Regulations impose limits to the maximum weight (gross and per axle) of different types of vehicles relating to the number of axles within each category of vehicle.

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 is 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 but this period increases as the vehicle weight or size increases.

Legislation states that the Police are to be notified of every abnormal load movement but the Highway Authority only needs to be notified when the maximum permitted weight conditions for that type of vehicle are exceeded. However, as an added safety precaution, hauliers are requested to notify Shropshire County Council of any abnormal load movement through Shropshire.

All notifications to the County Council are to be sent using the 'contact' section on this page.

For the convenience of hauliers, Shropshire County Council does 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 County Council against any damage its vehicle may cause to any road, bridge or other structure.

All abnormal load notifications received will be risk assessed against individual County Council bridge carrying capacities, headroom limitations or carriageway restrictions. As is normally industry practice, the haulier will only be notified if it is considered not safe for the vehicle to travel.