Three lane motorway, gritter wagon in the middle lane.
which is the safest way to pass… overtake, or undertake?
Whichever mate… They are there doing their own thing, either is ok… I tend to undertake if I’m in the granny lane or move out and overtake if I’m in the middle…
Whatever’s safest.
Don’t worry about the no hgvs in the outside lane thing, needs must.
Undertake as you are not allowed in lane 3.
Saw a new one this week on the M6, cars passing a gritter using the hard shoulder 
trying to save their paintwork I guess…
Normally I’d pass on the inside,but going round the M25 early Monday morning I came up behind a gritter in lane 2 with another one,(not gritting),about 20 yards in front of him in lane 1.
As they were both doing the same speed and there was no chance of the gap opening up I had no option but to o/take in lane 3.
msgyorkie:
Undertake as you are not allowed in lane 3.
You’ve obviously never done a nightshift. 
As others have said, if you’re in lane 2 overtaking slower vehicles in lane 1 and come across a gritter, it would be daft to drop back into lane 1 behind them when you can safely pass the slow moving gritter and the vehicle(s) in lane 1 by using lane 3.
I use lane 3 all the time and think nothing of it.
In a vehicle over 7.5 tonnes it is illegal to use lane 3 in that situation but in reality if no other road user is inconvenienced then nobody is really interested
First of all, it’s not under taking, it’s passing on the inside. It would be classed as undertaking if you then went back into lane 2 straight after. Passing on the inside is not illegal.
Second of all, you are allowed in lane 3 when there is a gritter operating in lane 2, the same rules apply as a wide load taking up lanes 1 and 2.
And thirdly, I straddle lane 1 and the hard shoulder to pass if I can see clearly ahead.
Had some ■■■■ yesterday in a camper van just sitting behind the gritter on the M1 in lane 1 causing a massive back log.
ROG:
In a vehicle over 7.5 tonnes it is illegal to use lane 3 in that situation but in reality if no other road user is inconvenienced then nobody is really interested
No it’s not is it?? I thought it comes under the same rules as a wide load, therefor we could use lane 3 to pass.
Contraflow:
msgyorkie:
Undertake as you are not allowed in lane 3.You’ve obviously never done a nightshift.
Ummm 8 years solid on a nightshift. I have never met 2 gritters going side by side usually just 1 in the middle so no justification to use lane 3! 
FarnboroughBoy11:
ROG:
In a vehicle over 7.5 tonnes it is illegal to use lane 3 in that situation but in reality if no other road user is inconvenienced then nobody is really interestedNo it’s not is it?? I thought it comes under the same rules as a wide load, therefor we could use lane 3 to pass.
Armchair lawyer 
FarnboroughBoy11:
ROG:
In a vehicle over 7.5 tonnes it is illegal to use lane 3 in that situation but in reality if no other road user is inconvenienced then nobody is really interestedNo it’s not is it?? I thought it comes under the same rules as a wide load, therefor we could use lane 3 to pass.
That rule comes in when lane 1 or 1+2 is blocked
In situations like the gritter one it is the same as having a middle lane hogger in front
Outside lane for me as there is normally a queue for the inside, of all the law abiding drivers !
Does it really matter as long as you pass SAFELY ?
msgyorkie:
Undertake as you are not allowed in lane 3.
yes you can!
I’d just carry on in lane one. Simples.
msgyorkie:
Undertake as you are not allowed in lane 3.
HGVs are allowed to use lane 3 when circumstances allow.
I generally use lane 1 + part of the hard shoulder if safe, otherwise I use lane 3.
A gritter in the middle lane is no different to a middle lane hogger so the same laws apply
If the LGV driver deems that lane 1 is unsafe then using lane 3 is acceptable under the law in that situation
Legally and what can be got away with are totally seperate things so its up to each individual driver as to what they choose to do
TruckOff:
‘…safest way to pass … overtake, or undertake…?’
Given due care & consideration whilst at work - it’s the first one of those three everytime 
If I’m in the car I’ll avoid having the bodywork anihilated by hanging well back 
FarnboroughBoy11:
ROG:
In a vehicle over 7.5 tonnes it is illegal to use lane 3 in that situation but in reality if no other road user is inconvenienced then nobody is really interestedNo it’s not is it?? I thought it comes under the same rules as a wide load, therefor we could use lane 3 to pass.
I am with you on this one. although I would generally use the inside lane as they seem to keep moving without hitting the barrier 