ALG Guidelines for Operators - Abnormal Loads

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), in collaboration with the Abnormal Loads Group (ALG), have released new national guidance to support police forces in the management of abnormal load movements across the UK.  The new guidance marks a significant step forward in improving coordination, transparency, and efficiency for both law enforcement and the transport industry.  The HTA has played a leading collaborative role through the ALG in its development with NPCC.

This landmark document reflects extensive consultation with the transport and logistics sectors and is designed to ensure a safer and more predictable operating environment for the movement of abnormal loads, while also supporting the operational requirements of police forces.

Key Points:-

• 30-Day Window Acceptance
• Clarification on Embargoes
• Targeted Embargo Approach
• Police Escorts and Legal Authority

Abnormal Load Group Guidelines

The following ALG Guidelines have been prepared by the Abnormal Loads Group (ALG) to assist Operators in understanding the procedures for notifying the movement of non-standard loads—whether under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (C&U) or the Special Types General Order 2003 (STGO)—and in their interactions with police authorities in light of the updated NPCC Guidelines – ‘NPCC Abnormal Loads Guidance 2025’. These ALG Guidelines are intended for general informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Operators are strongly advised to consult the relevant legislation and to seek independent legal advice, particular to their circumstances, to ensure full compliance with (and understanding of) their legal obligations, duties and exposure under UK Law.

Operators moving ‘abnormal loads’ are required, in certain circumstances, to give notice to the police of the proposed movement.  Operators should make themselves fully aware of the circumstances in which notice has to be given, the time periods involved and the details to be provided.

Aide Memoire for notification requirements for the movement of Abnormal Indivisible Loads or vehicles by road when not complying with The Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regulations 1986 (commonly known as C&U)

Prior to submitting a notice, operators should undertake a full risk assessment of the proposed route.  Where the proposed route, or time of movement, involves a risk of danger to other road users or will require the driver to perform an unlawful manoeuvre, the movement notice should be accompanied by a request for a police escort.  Depending on the amount of police involvement that will be required, this may be a chargeable service provided by the police – known as a ‘Special Police Service (SPS)’.

Both the C&U Regs and the STGO specify the minimum information that must be provided by an operator.  However, the police can choose to accept less or different information.  The minimum information includes the actual date and registration number of the vehicle involved, though many police forces will agree to accept a range of dates and alternative vehicles (if they are of identical construction).  If there is a chance that the move will not take place on the date notified, or a substitute vehicle used, this information should be included in the movement notice and checks should be made with the police as to whether this is acceptable.  If the police say that it is not acceptable, the police should be asked to provide reasons why and then the operator should try and engage in a compromise or seek further legal advice.

Depending upon the size of the vehicle or load, certain movements will require the presence of an attendant.  There is no legal requirement for the vehicle to have an escort, though an attendant may be in an escort vehicle.  Full guidance on attendants and escort vehicles can be found here.

Attendants and escorts do not have the power to direct or control traffic or authorise the driver of the ‘abnormal load’ vehicle to commit road traffic offences, such as driving the wrong way round a roundabout, the wrong way along a one-way street or even driving in the oncoming carriageway.  As is stated above, if there is a realistic chance that this might happen, a request for police assistance should be made with the movement notice.

The police have no power to issue ‘permits’ to allow movements to take place.  If proper notice has been given, the police cannot refuse to accept the notice or refuse to allow the move to take place.  However, the police do have the power to vary the date, time or route of the movement.

Several police forces impose embargos preventing the movement of abnormal load vehicles at certain times of the day.  These embargos arise from the police power to vary the time of the notified route.  Whilst there is a question over the legitimacy of ‘blanket’ embargos, it should be noted that:-

• An embargo only applies to a vehicle movement that is required to be notified to the police.  If the movement does not need notification to the police, for example a ‘standard’ Cat1 STGO vehicle or a Cat A crane, the police do not have the power under the STGO to prevent it from moving.
• Blanket embargos for notified movements should only be imposed by the police where there is a demonstrable need or risk to other road users. If an operator needs to move during embargo times, they should speak with the police beforehand, explain the situation and try and seek a compromise.  If this is not possible, they should ask to see the police risk assessment that justifies the embargo and then seek legal advice.

The police may choose, for their own reasons, to escort a vehicle and abnormal load.  If they do this, it is considered an operational matter and not something that can be charged to the operator.  The police do not have the power to mandate that an operator requests an SPS police escort.  An SPS escort must be freely requested by the operator.

Where an operator does request an SPS escort, this should be treated as any other commercial contract and the operator should seek clarity as to the charges that will be made and any penalties that might be imposed if the move does not take place as agreed.

On receipt of a movement notice, the police are required to conduct their own review of the proposed move.  If, after reviewing the movement notice, the police think that there is a reasonable chance that other road users will be put in danger, that damage could be caused to property or that the vehicle will have to perform unlawful manoeuvres, they can suggest that the operator requests an SPS police escort.  As stated above, they cannot compel it.

Where an operator does not request an SPS escort, the police may vary the date, time or route of the proposed move to further reduce the chances of issues arising or, if the move does take place without the SPS escort, look to prosecute the abnormal load vehicle driver and any other persons involved for any offences that are committed.  This could include C&U offences for vehicle width, weight, length etc but also offences such as dangerous driving, inconsiderate driving or driving without due care and attention.

Where the police vary the time, date or route of the movement or suggest that a SPS police escort is required, and the operator does not think these changes or suggestion are reasonable, the operator should ask the police for sight of their risk assessment of the move.  This should then be compared to the operator’s own risk assessment and used as the basis of dialogue with the police to achieve a compromise acceptable to all parties.  If a compromise cannot be reached, formal legal advice should be taken by the operator.

It should always be remembered that when a move takes place, the police have various powers under the C&U Regs, the STGO and general road traffic law to again vary the time or route or to stop the vehicle to inspect it.   If an operator believes that these powers are being used unreasonably at the roadside, again they should seek legal advice.

Example 1 - Police Escorts under SPS

An operator submits a notification, that due to dimensions is required to include the relevant Police force area that the load intends to move through. Said notification is submitted lawfully.  The Police force responds requiring the operator to “request” a Police escort under SPS.  The operator has 3 options:-

1. Agree to the request of Police Escort under SPS charges NPCC guidelines for Special Police services charges and enter into a contractual agreement.
2. Re-route avoiding the force area requesting the SPS escort
   a) Not move
3. Ignore the Police direction to request SPS and move, however this option carries risk
   a) Both the AILV and or the attendant/private escort vehicle should not contravene any road traffic laws, nor is any individual associated with the movement empowered to stop nor direct any other road user.

It is recommended that, the operator should be able to demonstrate a full risk assessment has been carried out prior to the move, which evidences no road traffic laws should be contravened - the HTA Online Risk Consideration & Assessment Tool (ORCA) can assist with this.

NB: The Police retain the right to stop the movement at any point under Road Traffic Act 1988 Reg 163 enacted and may decide to utilise this power to stop the move and carry out safety checks on drivers, vehicles and load security.

Example 2 - Police Rejection/Refusal of Notifications

An operator submits a notification, that due to dimensions is required to include the relevant Police force area that the load intends to move through.  Said notification is submitted lawfully.  The Police force responds informing the operator that the notification is rejected/refused for given reasons......?

In most cases it will be simply a matter of the Police ALO not understanding that they don’t have the power to reject/refuse, and most likely the rejection/refusal will be linked to the operator being required to request a Police escort under SPS.

The operator has 2 options:-

1. Engagement with the force concerned to understand the reason for the unlawful rejection/refusal of the notification, reaching agreement.
2. Ignore the Police unlawful rejection/refusal of the notification and move (see 3a above)

Example 3 - Abload (or mobile crane) Stopped During Police Enforced Embargo Times

An operator is stopped whilst moving a STGO CAT1 or CAT2 load (or mobile crane) within Police notifiable dimensions - ie is not lawfully notifiable to Police under STGO regs 2003 Schedule 5 (STGO Regs 2003 Article 10 (mobile cranes)

NB: The Police retain the right to stop the movement at any point under Road Traffic Act 1988 Reg 163 enacted and may decide to utilise this power to stop the move and carry out safety checks on drivers, vehicles and load security.

The operator is encouraged to work with the Police to agree that the AILV or the mobile crane’s dimensions are such that STGO Regs 2003 Schedule 5 is not activated.

Therefore, the power to vary the time/date and route (aka embargo) cannot be imposed on the lawful movement.