Abnormal Loads: updated guidance welcome

Police chiefs have committed to publishing updated abnormal load guidance following a meeting with the RHA and Heavy Transport Association (HTA).

Last week, RHA and HTA colleagues met with Chief Superintendent Marc Clothier, the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) Operational Lead for Roads and raised widespread concerns over increased police restrictions on abnormal loads.

Issues covered included police charging for escorts and the imminent update to the Association of Chief Police Officers (APCO) abnormal loads guidance.

The NPCC committed to publishing updated APCO abnormal loads guidance by the end of this year. This is welcome news and has been a long-term ask of the Abnormal Loads Group, led by RHA and HTA. 

This updated document will aim to address many of the issues faced by the industry including the variance in enforcement practices from police forces. As part of this process, a meeting will take place on 6 November with police leaders and industry representatives to review the updated guidance and provide feedback. The intention of NPCC is to simplify and shorten the guidance to avoid different interpretations. Further information on this will be provided in the coming months.

RHA and HTA outlined further examples from operators where police forces are mandating the use of escorts, which has grown to include forces beyond the initial three in Manchester, West Midlands, and Staffordshire. The NPCC committed to making enquiries with the police forces in question and suggested the updated guidance will help address the ongoing issues faced.

We will continue to keep members updated on ongoing conversations with police leaders.

Operators continue to seek further clarifications on regulations from different forces to stress the need for consistency to ensure they can move loads efficiently.

If you have any examples of the inconsistencies, please get in touch so we can address your concerns with the NPCC, DfT, Home Office and police authorities.

Please send examples to: [email protected]

Please include:

• Dates
• Force area
• Numbers of officers they asked you to pay for
• Cost
• Journey start/finish
• Load carried
• Notice time given to police
• Impact this has had on the movement, business, or customer
• Any other relevant details.