HGV – Part Of Our Transport Infrastructure
We once had a donkey and cart to move our heavy goods, but times have changed and so have our transportation needs.
In Germany in 1896, Gottlieb Daimler invented, among other things, the first lorry. A rather uncomfortable vehicle to drive until, in 1915, when the invention of pneumatic tyres occurred. Air-filled tyres made driving more comfortable, especially over distances and a lot faster, but few HGVs were in production before the 1950s.
War-time needs in Europe facilitated changes in how we transported goods, with many more Heavy Goods Vehicles – HGVs on the road—227,000 were put onto the roads during this period.
The HGV is now a familiar sight on our roads and an essential part of the UK’s haulage and transportation industries.
Most people are familiar with an average HGV, a large, long vehicle carrying goods around the country and internationally. They can be low loaders or high-sided vehicles, all governed by government regulations. However, we have all seen the slow-moving vehicles with their flashing amber lights, police escorts and experienced the tail-back they can sometimes cause. These are carrying what is classed as an abnormal load or an abnormal indivisible load.
What Is An Abnormal or Large Load?
The 1986 Road Vehicles Regulations (Construction and Use – C&U) provides the definitions of a large load and the terms in which they can be carried.
- It cannot be divided into two or more loads to be transported along the roads.
- It cannot be carried on vehicles operating within the C&U regulations.
An abnormal load is when it has,
- A weight of more than 44,000kg
- More than 10,000kg of axle load for a single non-driving axle
- More than 11,500kg axle load for a single driving axle
- More than a width of 2.9 metres
- More than 18.65 rigid length
An abnormal indivisible load
The 1986 Road Vehicles Regulations (Construction and Use – C&U) provides the definitions of a large load and the terms in which they can be carried.
- It cannot be divided into two or more loads to be transported along the roads.
- It cannot be carried on vehicles operating within the C&U regulations.
Heavy, long or wide loads generally are transported under the abnormal indivisible loads (AILs) provisions of the Motor Vehicle General Order 2003 – Authorisation of Special Types or STGO. AILs are those loads that due to cost, risk or damage –
Anything over these weights will require special permission, applied for with a minimum of two working days notice to the Highways Authority and the police force of every area the vehicle will transverse. Plus, indemnity to Road and Bridge Authorities.
Special Types Of Vehicles Exceeding The C&U Regs
These ‘special types’ can be up to 150 tonnes in weight, with a length of no more than 30m, excluding the drawing vehicle. The width can in certain circumstances, go to 6.1 metres. These special loads usually require a five-day notice to the Highways Authority, the police force of all the vehicle transverse areas. Plus, indemnity to Road and Bridge Authorities.
These vehicles almost always require an attendant. Advance notice is necessary to ensure the authorities issue the relevant Special order. The application takes a minimum of 10 weeks.
Transporting Your Abnormal Load With Buildings-UK
At Buildings-UK, our specialist transport is available to hire. We are experts in transporting abnormal loads throughout the UK and Europe. Our specialist team is on hand to process the legal requirements for the UK—as above— and Europe, where there can be some different conditions. Our low-loader trailer includes
- twin flip toe hydraulic ramps for ease of loading and unloading and
- a trailer-mounted winch – for non-mobile recovery of the plant.
Contact us to discuss your requirements.
