Once a load is classed as abnormal, you usually cannot just put it on a trailer and set off. The operator has to tell the police and the relevant highway and bridge authorities first, and give them enough notice. This guide explains who to notify, how much notice is required and how the ESDAL system pulls it all together.
Who has to be notified
Depending on the size and weight of the load, notice may need to go to:
- The police forces for every area the route passes through
- Highway authorities (local councils and National Highways) responsible for the roads used
- Bridge authorities, including Network Rail and canal trusts, where the route crosses their structures
The point of notification is safety. It lets the authorities check the route is suitable, flag weak bridges or low structures, and decide whether the movement needs to be timed to avoid peak traffic.
How much notice you need to give
Notice is counted in clear working days, which excludes the day you send it and the day of travel. As a general guide:
| Situation | Notice required | Notify |
|---|---|---|
| Loads over 2.9m wide / over standard length | 2 clear days | Police |
| STGO Cat 1 & 2 weights | 2 working days | Highway & bridge authorities |
| STGO Cat 3 / over 80 tonnes | 5 working days | Highway & bridge authorities |
| Width over 5m | 10+ days, written VR1 | National Highways & police |
These are minimums. In practice it pays to allow longer, because authorities can object to a route or ask for changes, and you cannot move the load until any issues are resolved.
What is ESDAL?
ESDAL stands for Electronic Service Delivery for Abnormal Loads. It is the online system run by National Highways that lets hauliers plan a route and send a single notification that reaches all the relevant police, highway and bridge authorities automatically. It also holds data on the road network, including structures, so routes can be checked for weak bridges and other restrictions.
Using ESDAL is far quicker and more reliable than contacting every authority separately. It records who has been notified and keeps an audit trail, which matters if questions are ever raised about a movement. For operators who move abnormal loads regularly, it is the standard way of working.
The VR1 form for very wide loads
For loads exceeding 5 metres in width, written notice on Form VR1 must be given to the National Highways abnormal loads team, typically well in advance. Above certain widths the movement may require special authorisation rather than simple notification, so the earlier this is started the better.
Don’t forget marker boards and escorts
Notification is only part of the job. Wide loads must display side and rear marker boards, often with lamps, and the widest, longest or heaviest movements need escort vehicles or, occasionally, a police escort. The operator is responsible for making sure all of this is in place before the load travels.
What happens if you get it wrong
Skipping or mistiming notifications is not a minor oversight. Moving an abnormal load without proper notice can lead to the vehicle being stopped and the movement halted, prosecution of the operator, and potential action against their operator’s licence. There is also a practical risk: an unnotified route that has not been checked may run into a weight-restricted bridge or low structure, leaving the load stranded. The cost of a delayed or aborted move – in standing time, rebooking and reputation – usually dwarfs the modest effort of notifying properly in the first place.
How long does the process take?
For a straightforward wide load needing two clear days’ police notice, a movement can often be arranged within a week. Heavier loads requiring five days’ notice to highway and bridge authorities, or very wide loads needing written VR1 notice, need longer – sometimes two to three weeks – especially if a bridge needs assessing or a structural review is required. The sensible approach is to involve your haulier as early as possible, so the planning runs in parallel with the rest of your project rather than holding it up at the end.
Let an experienced operator handle the paperwork
Getting notifications right takes experience, and mistakes can mean a delayed or aborted move. Northampton Road Haulage manages route planning, ESDAL notifications and escort arrangements for abnormal loads as part of the service. Call 01604 385213 to discuss your movement and we will take care of the detail.