The deputy prime minister is set to ask police chiefs to make progress on resolving problems with abnormal loads embargoes.
Construction News understands that Angela Rayner has asked plant hire industry leaders for an urgent briefing because she is concerned the issue is adding to delays on housebuilding sites.
The request came during her visit (as a local MP) to John Sutch Cranes in Manchester on Tuesday (19 November).
Also at the meeting was David Smith, legal manager at the Construction Plant Hire Association (CPA), which has been lobbying the government and police chiefs for changes to guidance and enforcement of heavy vehicle movements.
By law, heavy vehicles are banned from the roads between 7am and 9am and 4pm to 6pm on weekdays.
Firms moving large items of plant – with a gross vehicle weight of more than 44,000kg, for example – must go online and register with National Highways. The website then notifies police, highway and structures authorities.
And, according to guidance issued in 2010, they must give two clear working days’ notice.
But the CPA has warned that UK police forces are interpreting the guidance on abnormal loads differently.
John Sutch Cranes managing director-designate Hayley Sutch said she explained to Rayner that the rules require reform.
Sutch told CN: “If someone says we need a crane tomorrow, give us a price, we’re having to say no. We need three to five days’ notice depending on what size it is and where it’s going.”
She added: “The police forces are all singing from different song sheets when it comes to enforcement. But at the same time, a similar-sized supermarket wagon does whatever it wants to. It makes no sense. The rules have to work in the real world.”
The firm had already wrtten to the deputy PM about the issues involved.
Sutch said following the meeting: “She clearly understood our difficulties.”
An open-ended review of the guidance to forces was started in May by the previous Conservative government.
In July, three forces in Wales began piloting embargo-free known routes. The pilot is continuing.
The Abnormal Loads Group, which also represents plant hire firms, met with the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) on 6 November to ask for greater flexibility.
The Abnormal Loads Group said: “The policing of abnormal loads has become increasingly inconsistent in recent years creating significant challenges for the haulage industry and the vital sectors it supports including caravans, construction, manufacturing and renewables.
“The NPCC is encouraging greater consistency and best practice among forces and is committed to publishing the updated guidance before the end of the year to assist officers.”
In a statement to CN, a spokesperson for the NPCC said: “In the past six months there has been extensive consultation with all partners to establish what is needed from the guidance and ensure alignment.”
It added: “The new guidance will be published soon.”
CN contacted Rayner’s office at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for further information.
