Heavy Transport Association

IN THIS ISSUE: "Is the pedantic policing of abnormal loads becoming a major problem?"

West Midlands Police criticised as Abnormal Load movement by member Collett & Sons Ltd observed first hand by HTA President The Earl Attlee.

‼️ OUT NOW ‼️
Commercial Motor 29 August 2024

► Is bigger better? – We get behind the wheel of DAF‘s past and present flagships

► Marking the occasion – Dawsongroup celebrates 50 with Volvo FM electric

► It’s a Kraker – The Dutch manufacturer’s innovative approach

► Used truck intel – We run the rule over the market

► 106 pages of used trucks and trailers

► Now available in print and digital formats. To subscribe https://account.commercialmotor.com/subscribe

ANNOUNCEMENT: Gwent Police Mobile Crane Embargo Trial updated and widened to include South Wales Police & Heddlu Dyfed-Powys Police Force Areas (open to non-members).

For full details and conditions - https://www.heavytransportassociation.org.uk/News-Archive/13382090

Police auto responses requiring attendant to be present in the cab - positive outcome.

https://www.heavytransportassociation.org.uk/News-Archive/13378363

The committee members of our association are all volunteers and hold operational positions in our shared sector.
As such, are acutely aware of the operational and commercial challenges that discorporate, inconstant and unlawful regulatory enforcement currently propagated bring - we know and feel your pain!
The Heavy Transport Association is a leading member of the newly formed Abnormal Loads Group (ALG) this group represents cross sector industries that touch abloads. The group along with the Heavy Transport Association have formulated a 3 phase approach.
1) engaging directly with constabularies
2) working with National Police Chiefs' Council to produce new guidance for all UK Police forces, this work is due to complete Q4 24
3) Lobbying .gov to amend, over due STGO and C&U regulations to be fit for purpose. This will take time and to persuade .gov of the importance of this, the recently commissioned report into costs to industry evidences that £500m of extra costs have been imposed on operators at the expense of poor enforcement practices. This is tangible evidence that will be used to push for change with .gov to assist with the priority of growing the economy not stifling it.
Recent successes:
Alignment of Police embargo times by regions
Additional VRNs accepted by email for notifications
Clarity on descriptions of Abloads under C&U
Influence with the National Police Chiefs' Council guidance on management of abloads
Removal of embargos for specific abloads types trials
Additional workstreams are challenging mandated abloads Police es**rt charging where not required nor requested.
Challenging the legality of embargo enforcement on vehicles that are not required to be notified to the Police.

Find out more https://www.heavytransportassociation.org.uk/

ANNOUNCEMENT: Gwent Police Force Area Mobile Crane Embargo Trial (open to non-members).

For full details, conditions (including how to opt-in) - https://www.heavytransportassociation.org.uk/News-Archive/13374619

HGV & Abnormal Load Parking - ESTA survey

Much of the work of the HTA is known only to members. We've opened this survey up so more operators can contribute as well as see just some of the work-streams the likes of ESTA, HTA and others are doing on the industries behalf.

https://www.heavytransportassociation.org.uk/News-Archive/13368638

Whilst most policing is a public service, there are situations in which the Police can charge for ‘Special Police Services’. In his latest article, James Edes (Dyne Solicitors) delves into the guidelines on charging for police es**rting services as well as the practical implications for operators.

https://www.dynesolicitors.co.uk/when-can-the-police-charge-for-their-services/

Update from HTA Secretariat on suggestions by regulatory enforcement bodies that Es**rt vans should be fitted with bulkheads - https://www.heavytransportassociation.org.uk/Member-News-Archive/13358518 (members only)

West Midlands Police provides clarity on paying for police to es**rt abnormal loads - https://shorturl.at/TlEPz

We would like to thank those operators who have completed our simple online report form to advise the HTA of ANY police force mandating payment for police es**rt (after 8 April 2024).

Please continue to add instances if/as they arise (open to non-members) - https://forms.office.com/e/Z9GERB0yfK

You can find out more about the issue(s) here - https://heavytransportassociation.org.uk/News-Archive/13317567
and here - https://www.heavytransportassociation.org.uk/Member-News-Archive/13339313

Congratulations Allelys! 💪🎊🎉

The HTA is aware that several Police forces appear to have changed their position on the requirements for some abnormal loads to be es**rted and are subsequently charging operators for the service. This can be challenged in England & Wales - read more here https://heavytransportassociation.org.uk/News.../13317567
The question of chargeable and non-chargeable Police services has been clarified by caselaw.
West Midlands Police Chief Constable has recently confirmed to the HTA that operators are not mandated to hire police officers to es**rt abnormal loads as a matter of course in their area, and there should always be other options available.
If ANY police force in England or Wales has INSISTED you pay for officers to es**rt a load since 8 April 2024 if you did not intend to please bring to our attention using our simple online form (also open to non-members) https://heavytransportassociation.org.uk/News.../13339253

As usual, a busy agenda for the quarterly HTA General Meeting held earlier today. Important updates on Abnormal Loads Working Group, RHA Joint initiative, STGO review, MSA Parking, Longer Heavier Vehicle Trial, DVS 2024, Project , ESTA and the new HTA membership management system. Attended by our President, The Earl Attlee who has 'hands-on' experience of moving himself.

If you are a professional operator (or industry related specialist) we invite you to be part of shaping the future:-

Join: your membership alone provides greater strength and influence through lobbying and representation

Contribute: Feel strongly? Use your knowledge and experience to make a difference - attend quarterly member meetings (Zoom) and/or consider becoming part of our multiple working groups/workstreams.

Join the discussion......join us - https://heavytransportassociation.org.uk/Join

Increased bureaucracy on abnormal load movements, which has seen the police enforcing different restrictions on moving abnormal loads, is costing the sector an estimated £16.8m a year, according to new research.

🔗 https://bit.ly/3TUq00K

https://www.freightlink.co.uk/knowledge/articles/dfds-update-abnormal-load-embargo-tuesday-23rd-april-2024-700am-until-1200pm-1st

DFDS Update - Abnormal Load Embargo: Tuesday 23rd April 2024 from 7:00am until 12:00pm 1st May 2024 We have been advised by Port Authorities in Dover that due to essential work on Homeward Way, there has been an embargo placed on abnormal load shipments from Dover commencing Tuesday 23rd April 2024 from 7:00am until 12:00pm 1st May 2024 Regrettably, during the above-mentioned timeframe we are unab...

"NFB chief executive Richard Beresford said: “A productive nation is nothing without a well-functioning construction industry, but we are increasingly finding that the operational side of construction is far from the minds of decision makers."

https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/builders-swing-behind-crane-hire-sector

hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

Builders swing behind crane hire sector The National Federation of Builders has called on the government to stop police forces killing the crane hire sector.

Police embargo times are a hot topic for operators. The HTA has some successes in persuading police to a more collaborative approach. This has led to changes for the better, but keeping up with these changes can be an ordeal. Thanks to HTA members Cascade Software Ltd for producing a FREE UK Police force area embargo map which is periodically updated (recent update) to registered users (available to non members) - https://heavytransportassociation.org.uk/News-Archive/13170640

There is no such thing as a 'Movement Order' in abnormal loads legislation?

Did you also know that the Police cannot refuse a lawfully submitted notification to move an abnormal load?

Do you know how much notice the Police are entitled to under legislation for an abnormal load movement?

Do you know the trigger points for notifying the Police?

The Heavy Transport Association is the only specialist Trade Association for the heavy/abnormal load industry. Disproportionate and inconsistent enforcement by Police is causing the sector extra cost and administrative burden. The HTA is a key member of the National Abloads Working Group; led by the Road Haulage Association, we are bringing the groups concerns to change-makers attention at national level.

Find out more about what we do and how we can assist your business with correct legislative guidance https://heavytransportassociation.org.uk

FACT: No infrastructure or major engineering project is possible without our members!

Join the discussion......join us https://heavytransportassociation.org.uk

The HTA is aware that several Police forces appear to have changed their position on the requirements for some abnormal loads to be es**rted and are subsequently charging operators for the service. This can be challenged in England & Wales - read more here https://heavytransportassociation.org.uk/News-Archive/13317567

The question of chargeable and non-chargeable Police services has been clarified by caselaw.

West Midlands Police Chief Constable has recently confirmed to the HTA that operators are not mandated to hire police officers to es**rt abnormal loads as a matter of course in their area, and there should always be other options available.

If ANY police force in England or Wales has INSISTED you pay for officers to es**rt a load since 8 April 2024 if you did not intend to please bring to our attention using our simple online form (also open to non-members) https://heavytransportassociation.org.uk/News-Archive/13339253

The HTA has been inundated with questions to clarify exactly what has changed with West Midlands Police criteria for mandating Police es**rts, we trust the following will clarify - https://heavytransportassociation.org.uk/Member-News-Archive/13339387 (members only).

Movement of Wide and Abnormal loads and the imposition of police es**rts in England and Wales - https://www.heavytransportassociation.org.uk/Member-News-Archive/13339313 (members only)

West Midlands Police clarify their position on police es**rting of abnormal loads in their force area - https://www.heavytransportassociation.org.uk/News-Archive/13339253

Congratulations to members in the following ESTA Awards of Excellence 2024 categories https://estaeurope.eu/awards/2024-awards-shortlist/:-

Allelys Allelys Heavy Haulage: Abnormal Transport Total mass >120T and Combined Techniques (2)
Collett & Sons Ltd: Abnormal Transport Total mass >120T and Abnormal Transport Total mass 120T, Cranes Lattice Boom and Training (3)
Mammoet: Cranes Lattice Boom

Very best wishes to ALL of the 2024 finalists!

The HTA is the UK representative member of ESTA Europe and has previously held the Presidency for 9yrs.

ESTA Europe announces EU Parliament support for harmonisation of national rules and removal of administrative and operational bottlenecks on indivisible loads. HTA Chairman, Marcus Gough issues clarion wake up call of potential future economic cost implications to UK Plc of not acting harmoniously with our closest trading bloc.
https://rb.gy/fqzvw2