Roads and Highways - Weight Limits

Description

Restrictions can be imposed on certain types of large vehicles for structural or for environmental reasons. Often it is a legal control applicable to a specified type, weight, length, width or height of vehicle (mainly lorries) and is designed to protect roads, structures or the environment from damage.

The restriction prevents large vehicles from using inappropriate roads, routes, structures or an area in order to:

• Reduce danger to pedestrians and other road users
• Prevent damage to buildings, roads and bridges, retaining walls, culverts and other structures
• Preserve the character, amenity and environment of an area
• Reduce and manage congestion on the roads

Eligibility

Often residents of a road or area witness what they consider unnecessary use of a street by drivers of large vehicles. They can ask for a restriction that will apply to that type of large vehicle. Signs can be erected that will identify the start and end of a restriction only after a traffic regulation order has been successfully processed and this can then be enforced by the Police.

Procedure

Where large numbers of heavy vehicles are seen to be causing damage to unsuitable roads a restriction can be considered.

Frequently some of these vehicles will need to use the route to make deliveries to local shops, for example. These vehicles would need to be exempt, so often the restrictions are 'except for access'. However if the restriction is for structural reasons, such as a weak bridge, this rule would not apply.

The Council will carry out a survey to determine what large vehicles would not be exempt and alternative routes they should use. In urban areas this can be a problem where there are either many exemptions that would apply or the only alternative route is also a residential road.

Although not all restrictions, such as height limits for low bridges, require a traffic regulation order most do; particularly those applied purely for environmental reasons.

The Council will consult with residents/businesses in the immediate area and opportunities are given for any objections which will be considered and determined by the Council before an order can be implemented. In determining any objections, the Council should consider the effects on the local economy if the proposal involves long and costly diversions for many servicing vehicles.

Helplines

Highways and Engineering General Enquiries, telephone: 01226 773555.

Opening Times/Locations

Opening Times and Locations

How the customer can help

You should provide as much information as possible, such as, the streets affected, the locality and the nature of the problem. Your own contact details will also be helpful so that we can clarify any points with you.

Application Form References

Request an Assessment for a New Weight Limit

Legislation

Highways Act 1980
Road Traffic Act 1988

Response Times/Next Steps

Most requests will require investigation starting with a traffic survey to determine the numbers and types of vehicle involved. Some research may be required if there is no obvious reason for the large vehicle to be using that route. Alternative routes will also have to be assessed before any proposal can be formulated.

If it is feasible and justifiable to introduce a restriction that fact will be reported to a Council Cabinet Spokesperson for authority to proceed. Thereafter consultations will be carried out and a traffic regulation order published. If objections are received they need to be considered and determined.

If the scheme is to proceed then appropriate signing has to be designed to inform of the restriction and where appropriate to direct drivers via a suitable alternative route.

This process can take up to six months.

Owner Officer Contact Details

Highways and Engineering General Enquiries, telephone: 01226 773555.

Additional Notes

Enforcement
This is a matter for the Police. However, the Police have limited resources to enforce this type of restriction (especially environmental restrictions). Restrictions with 'except for access' clauses quickly fall into disrepute and are notoriously difficult to enforce. HGVs need access to local shops, businesses, and residential properties for deliveries / removals and so on. For this reason, enforcement commands a low priority and therefore, where possible, physical measures should be introduced to prevent any abuse of the restrictions - signs alone are often ineffective. Restrictions will not be used if there is no suitable alternative route for the displaced traffic, for example, we will not push a problem from one road onto another - there will have to be some assessment of the overall benefit.

Additional Considerations
Where a Traffic Regulation Order restricts the use of a road, route or area to certain vehicles, the signing of a recommended alternative route will need to be considered. Signing costs can quickly mount up and typically schemes will cost thousands of pounds rather then a few hundred.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are too many heavy goods vehicles using the street on which I live - can anything be done to stop them?
This depends on where you live and why the heavy goods vehicles are using the street. If this is a legitimate route and these vehicles are accessing business premises nearby then we cannot prevent this. If, however, the street is being used as an alternative to more suitable routes because it is marginally shorter then this can be assessed for remedial action. Please realise that HGVs are on the roads because they need to be there to do a job - often delivering goods to a local shop or business in your area.

My street is not suitable for use by heavy goods vehicles - can I have a sign put up saying this?
If heavy goods vehicles are legitimately using this route to access premises then signs will not affect them and could cause confusion. If, however, they are trying to find a route and getting stuck this can be addressed using suitable signs. Often in these circumstances a driver has got lost because of deficiencies in the direction signing.

Can I request an HGV restriction for the whole of an estate?
If the estate which you are concerned about has shops, small businesses or industrial premises within it access for HGVs must be maintained. Allowing access makes restrictions extremely difficult to enforce by the police and they are unlikely to support the restriction because of this.

Related Links:

• Department for Transport
• Highways Agency