There are times when public and private companies, organisations and individuals need to transport abnormal (unusually shaped or overly large) loads by road. Whilst this may seem like a convoluted task from the outset, it is actually quite straightforward.
In order for a load to be considered abnormal, the specialist transportation vehicle carrying it needs to have one (or more) of the following attributes: a weight of more than 44,000 kilos; a width of more than 2.9 metres, or a length of more than 18.65 metres. In addition, a load will also be considered abnormal if the specialist haulage vehicle has an axle load of more than 10,000 kilos (for a single non-driving axle) or 11,500 kilos (for a single driving axle)
Parties that determine their load to be abnormal will need to notify the relevant authorities before they endeavour to move it. Indeed, parties that are looking to transport abnormal loads in this way will more than likely need to give advanced warning to authorities such as the police and highway authorities as well as bridge and structure owners like Network Rail.
Fortunately, the Highways Agency has the perfect tool for this: the electronic service delivery for abnormal loads (ESDAL) system. This system is incredibly useful as it enables parties interested in moving abnormal loads to plot their route; notify the police highways and bridge authorities; get advance notice of any possible route problems, and save their vehicle details and routes for future use.
