We Strive to Get Consistency On Abnormal Loads

By Richard Smith, RHA Managing Director 

This year we’re looking forward to strengthening our relationship with police, stakeholders and policymakers as we strive to get more consistency on abnormal loads enforcement.

We got together with a number of trade bodies and stakeholders last year in response to some worrying developments.

Operators told us that some forces enforce rules inconsistently which they say increases cost and bureaucracy. The knock-on effect in some cases is felt beyond our industry into the wider economy with projects getting delayed.

Over the last few months we’ve forged positive relationships with officers including from the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and look forward to continuing collaborating with them.

We will support senior officers to update the national police guidance; and reinforce their efforts to increase knowledge of the rules and improve cross-force consistency.

We’re also continuing to support our respective members when new issues come to light – and work with officers to resolve them as quickly as possible.

There’s never any question that safety on our roads is everyone’s number one priority; we acknowledge that police have an incredibly difficult job to do and we know that abnormal loads is a complex field requiring specialist knowledge on their part.

But it’s also true that inconsistent enforcement makes it difficult for hauliers – and their customers – to get the job done efficiently and cost effectively.

It's right that we all work together to support the police over the year ahead to adopt the best practices and consistency that support economic growth.

I’m interested in your thoughts…

#RHACostsAndRegulation