Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys
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Abnormal Loads

Quick Guide to Abnormal Loads

  • Any abnormal load measuring between 2.9 & 3.5 metres in width (unless gross weight exceeds 100 tonnes) may travel on any road within the Dyfed-Powys Police Area unescorted.
  • Any abnormal load measuring between 3.5 & 4.1 metres in width will require a self / private escort on all roads except dual carriageways, within the Dyfed-Powys Police Area.
  • Any abnormal load measuring between 4.1 & 4.72 metres in width will require a self / private escort on all roads within the Dyfed-Powys Police Area at all times.
  • Any abnormal load with a gross weight of 100 tonnes or more will also require a self / private escort on all roads within the Dyfed-Powys Police area.
  • Any abnormal load measuring more than 4.72 metres in width, or exceeding 150 tonnes or more in weight, or exceeding 30 metres rigid length, will require a police escort at all times on any road within the Dyfed-Powys Police Area. We will require at least 8 days prior notice for these loads in order to arrange the police escorts.
  • No abnormal loads to move on any road within the Dyfed-Powys Police Area during the hours of darkness. Unless on a dual-carriageway and must have a self / private escort.
  • Please also be aware of bridge heights & weights when processing all movements.

Process for Abnormal Load Escorts

Where an abnormal load is 3.5m wide or more it must have either a self / private escort vehicle in attendance or if it is 4.7m wide or more it must have a police escort.

Some haulage companies use their own escort vehicles and some employ a private firm to undertake the escort.  If you require a police escort you should contact the Force Abnormal Loads Officer via a system called ESDAL which is a service the Highways Agency have provided for undertaking Special Orders.  You must provide 8 days notice for the police escorts and there is a charge for the officer’s time.

If you do not need a police escort then you are required to provide the Force with 2 days notice of a movement order which should be faxed through to the Abnormal Loads Officer.  The fax should contain information on who you are including contact telephone numbers, details of where the load is coming from and its destination and it should include the route you propose to use.  The Force will also require the full dimensions and description of the load. If the load is between 3.5m wide and 4.7m wide (therefore subject to a private/self escort) the Abnormal Loads Officer will provide you with a fax confirmation which will include a Dyfed-Powys Police reference number and instructions to telephone the Abnormal Loads Officer when the abnormal load is about to enter the Dyfed Powys Police Force area.  The fax will also contain details of the out of office hour’s number for the Force Control Room.

The Abnormal Loads Officer can be contacted on 101 in the first instance.