Escorts to go private
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by Miles Brignall • The Home Office plans to withdraw police escorts of abnormal loads on motorways and dual carriageways in favour of private firms.
Last week the Government launched a consultation document inviting heavy hauliers' views on ending the arrangement, which currently costs police forces some £7m a year.
At present heavy hauliers have to give 48 hours' notice to all relevant police forces before a Special Types load is moved. There is no legal requirement for chief police officers to provide escorting officers, but they generally do so.
The Home Office wants private escorts with trained personnel to accompany heavy loads on "motorways and their linking dual carriageways" only, where no direction of traffic is required. It suggests that the escorts could be allowed to oversee loads weighing between 100 and 150 tonnes, 4.3-4.6m wide and longer than 27.4m.
The plan is designed to concentrate police resources on more pressing matters—the Home Office hopes the changes will be welcomed by the industry because it should cut the cost of escorts.
If approved, the plans will require minor legislative changes. They are expected to be subject to a one-year transitional period.
Interested parties should send their views to: Home Office, Operational Policing Policy Unit, Traffic Section, Room 545, 50 Queen Anne's Gate, London SW1H 9AT by 14 January 1999.