RHA hosts abnormal loads symposium with police leaders and operators

I was pleased to host a symposium yesterday with police leaders, stakeholders and operators today on how new guidance to support abnormal loads movement is working across the country.

A couple of years ago, we brought together an Abnormal Loads Group (ALG) after hauliers had reported inconsistencies with how police forces were supporting operators moving these loads.

We compiled a body of evidence showing how different interpretations across forces were causing uncertainty and in many cases leading to costly delays for hauliers and their customers.

This included an independent economic impact assessment we commissioned which concluded that these actions were costing the UK economy up to £584m a year.

We’ve worked closely with the National Police Chiefs'​ Council (NPCC) to help them improve service provision, and specifically on updating the guidance for forces.

Today’s event in London was our opportunity to review how well the guidance is being interpreted on the ground and to examine where improvements still need to be made.

It’s part of the dialogue we’re facilitating with officers, stakeholders and operators to improve communication and understanding between the different parties and to ensure that hauliers can expect the best service from police forces across the country.

I’d like to thank Marc Clothier from the NPCC and to everyone else who joined us at the session today. It’s clear there’s been a lot of progress, and we are all committed to continue this journey recognising there are opportunities for further improvement. but we still have a long way to go.

I look forward to continuing this collaboration to ensure we help police deliver the consistency abnormal loads hauliers need to be able to operate efficiently and with certainty.