Roads

All vehicles in general use on Britain's roads must conform to the Construction and Use Regulations. These regulations allow the use of vehicles up to 44 tonnes gross vehicle weight. In some cases, following an assessment, a bridge may be found incapable of safely carrying such a large vehicle and in these instances weight restrictions are applied to such structures. Due to the way a structure is assessed, it will be deemed capable of carrying 26, 18, 7.5 or 3 tonne gross vehicle weight. These weight bands tie in with the different classes of vehicles described  in the Construction and Use Regulations. This makes it easier for drivers to identify the restrictions that apply to them and for the police to enforce.  Departures from this exist for masonry arches which are assessed differently and may have restrictions of 33, 13 or 10 tonnes.

The restrictions prevent large vehicles from using inappropriate roads, routes and areas so that:

• danger to pedestrians and other road users is reduced;
• damage to buildings, roads and bridges is prevented;
• the character, amenity and environment of an area is preserved;
• congestion on the roads is managed and reduced.

Weight restrictions are also used to prevent large vehicles from using certain roads for environmental reasons and these will be either 18 or 7.5 tonne.

Enforcement

Sometimes hauliers need to transport goods or plant that exceed 44 tonnes. Movements of this type are covered by the Special Types General Order 2003. Hauliers are required to notify the Highway Authority and the Police, giving details of their intended route and the vehicles to be used.

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