Abnormal Loads
Routing of Abnormal Loads in East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire are processed by our Design Team. It is important to notify us of any movements that fit the description below to mitigate the risks to our roads and structures and enable the safe passage of abnormal loads across East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire.
What is an Abnormal Load?
A road vehicle which has any of the following is classed as an ‘abnormal load’:
| A gross weight of more than 44,000 kilograms. |
| An axle load of more than 10,000 kilograms for a single non-driving axle and 11,500 kilograms for a single driving axle. |
| A width of more than 2.9 metres. |
| A rigid length of more than 18.65 metres and cannot, without undue expense or risk of damage, be divided into two or more loads for the purpose of being carried on a road. |
Notifying us about a movement
Vehicle Operators/Hauliers intending to move an Abnormal Load on the public road are required to notify all relevant highway, bridge and police authorities and to indemnify them in respect of any damage that is caused to roads or bridges in the course of the journey. Therefore you must notify us if your route travels through East Ayrshire or South Ayrshire.
Notices should include the date of the proposed move and we should be notified within the timescales set out below:
Abnormal Loads Timescales
| Loads greater than 40 tonnes and up to 80 tonnes |
Apply 2 clear days* prior to the date of movement |
| Loads greater than 80 tonnes and up to 150 tonnes gross weight, or with single axles greater than 16.5 tonnes |
Apply 5 clear days* prior to the date of movement |
| Loads in excess of 150 tonnes or have a single axle load greater than 16.5 tonnes or have a rigid length greater than 30m |
Department for Transport Special Order Form BE16 is required plus 5 clear days* notice prior to the date of movement. |
*Clear days excludes weekend and bank holidays.
Vehicle Operators/Hauliers must provide
| A signed indemnity either with each movement or provide an annual block indemnity. |
| A description and dimensions for the vehicle and load that can be checked against the height and width restrictions. |
| Gross weight, axle weights and spacing should be provided so the weights can be checked against bridge or road weight restrictions and if necessary, calculations can be carried out to determine whether the structures on the route have sufficient load carrying capacity. |
How to notify us
The best way to notify us about abnormal load movements is through Highways England’s Electronic Service Delivery for Abnormal Loads (ESDAL)
This is a free tool which identifies affected authorities for you and forwards your notification to the correct areas. ESDAL will also identify a number of known issues with proposed routes prior to submission.
If you do not wish to use ESDAL, Vehicle Operators/Hauliers can email their notices directly to us
Contact Information
Phone: 01563 503 160
E-mail: enquiries@ayrshireroadsalliance.org
Address: Ayrshire Roads Alliance, Opera House, 8 John Finnie Street, Kilmarnock, KA1 1DD