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Abnormal Loads

The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1988 (C&U) and The Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (General) Order 2003 (STGO) stipulate what is an abnormal load and when they require notification. 

A notification is required to Leicestershire Police if the abnormal load is being transported on any road through Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and falls into one or more of the following criteria: 

  • Over 2.9m wide (9’6”)
  • Over 18.65m long (61’2”)
  • Over 80,000kgs in weight 

The notice must include: 

  • Details of the user/operator of the vehicle transporting the load
  • Telephone number, facsimile number and/or email address
  • Addresses where the load is being moved from and to
  • Date and time of the move
  • Complete proposed route to be used
  • Full dimensions of the load
  • Description of the load 

At least two clear working days notice is required to the Police (not including weekends and Bank Holidays). 

Nationally agreed criteria and local knowledge will be used to decide if the load requires an escort on all or part of the route or requires being re-routed. 

Agricultural vehicles and equipment are also required to be notified to the police if: 

  • they exceed 3 metres in width (9’11”)             

    and 

a)     there is a speed limit of 40 miles per hour or less on any road on which the vehicle is to be used                 

   or

b)     the length of the journey to be made by the vehicle exceeds 5 miles. 

Schedule 5 of STGO stipulates the Police are to be given 24 hours notice before the date of use. 

The Abnormal Loads Officer is based at Police Headquarters, St Johns, Enderby, Leicestershire, LE19 2BX and can be called during office hours (Monday-Friday, between 8am-4.30pm) on 101, extension 2442. 

Abnormal load movement notices should be faxed to 0870 7622925 or emailed to [email protected].

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