Lane rental schemes? gov.uk/government/policies/ … al-schemes
What sort of new obscenity of privatisation is this?
And don’t forget the new(ish) tunnel category signs.
And it would be as well to remind folks that any haulier transporting hazardous goods has, by law, to have a nominated Hazardous Goods Safety Officer. And before anyone enquires, yes, it does include owner drivers. Although they have the option of engaging one outside of their own operation, as do all hauliers.
Lusk:
…Propane tankers are not allowed through at all.
Nor are they allowed on the Windermere ferry (not to mention the 8ton limit), contrary to what our planners down south would have you believe. Just seen my run for Monday, gonna be a long ■■■■■■■ day. Again. 
Isn’t it specifically “No Explosives or radioactives”?
Fertilizer, Flammables, Poisons, & Corrosives no problem. Plenty of such vehicles can be seen daily going through the Dartford tunnel.
I spent a few years in Germany in the 80’s-90’s and this sign would be on the approach to many a rural area. “Vehicles transporting marked hazardous materials prohibited”.
There’s a similar sign with an oval orange jobby, like the back end of a tanker, which bans vehicles carrying more than 3000ltrs of water-pollutants.
Winseer:
Isn’t it specifically “No Explosives or radioactives”?Fertilizer, Flammables, Poisons, & Corrosives no problem. Plenty of such vehicles can be seen daily going through the Dartford tunnel.
I think it is to do with propane being heavier than air.
OK chaps, I’ve been rather busy just lately but reading this has been fun. 
The history of this new road sign goes back to 2003ish.
Back then, all the ADR member countries regulated dangerous goods going through tunnels by use of their own laws, such as their version of the Road Traffic Act. The problem was that foreign drivers had no idea which dangerous goods could be carried through which tunnels.
In one of the meetings when they chew over what changes they’re going to make to ADR, they decided to standardise the notion of which dangerous goods could be carried through which tunnels, and in what amounts.
Road tunnels of >500mtrs length on major routes have to be classified by National Authorities in each country. There is a standard set of criteria, so it’s easy for the various countries to decide which tunnel category any of their tunnels fit into. Tunnel categories are given letters A-E dependant on many criteria such as length, access for fire brigades, lighting, information systems, communication systems. In other words, how safe the tunnel is.
All dangerous goods are allocated a tunnel code in ADR, which is based on the degree and kind(s) of danger presented by each of the goods allocated to a UN number. (It does NOT depend on the Class of the dangerous goods. )
All this is set in national and international law, which also applies in the UK.
The sign that ROG showed in his OP simply means: “Dangerous goods restriction ahead.” (NOT a ban )
On the same (large) sign as the restriction sign, there will also be a tunnel code letter AND an alternative route, such as on this sign in Liverpool:
The sign must be placed at a point where it is possible for a driver to take the alternative route ie; well in advance of the tunnel.
All this is taught on an ADR course, but for those who don’t have ADR…
Dangerous goods have to be described in a certain way (format) on a driver’s documentation.
For example: UN 1203 PETROL, 3, PGII (D/E)
For tunnels, it’s the “(D/E)” that counts.
When there are two letters as above, the first relates to tankers, whilst the second relates to ‘other carriage’ such as packages.
A petrol tanker driver approaching this tunnel has the D/E on his paperwork, then sees the “D” on the sign. He can’t use that tunnel.
If another driver is carrying petrol in drums, he sees the D/E on his paperwork, but he can go through the tunnel, because petrol in packages is “E” but the tunnel is “D.”
If the letter on your paperwork is the same as the letter on the tunnel sign, (or before it in the alphabet,) then you can’t go through that tunnel.
In the same way, a propane tanker can’t go through the Dartford tunnel because UN 1978 PROPANE, 2.1 (B/D) because the Dartford Tunnel is category “C.”
A driver carrying propane in cylinders can therefore go through the Dartford Tunnel, but not through the Mersey Tunnel.
The above only applies once you have enough dangerous goods on board to trigger the requirement to display orange plates and have your ADR licence with you.
I thought I knew what it meant but it seems not fully … now I do so thanks
Retired Old ■■■■:
And don’t forget the new(ish) tunnel category signs.And it would be as well to remind folks that any haulier transporting hazardous goods has, by law, to have a nominated Hazardous Goods Safety Officer. And before anyone enquires, yes, it does include owner drivers. Although they have the option of engaging one outside of their own operation, as do all hauliers.
A DGSA has been a requirement for years.
Betty Swallox:
Fatboy slimslow:
merc0447:
I’ve never seen that before either on road or in the Highway Code. Looks like it has been invented by a private company or summit. It’s actually a well designed sign, even without knowing the correct meaning you get the gist of it.use Woolwich ferry!
No hazardous or flammable loads allowed on the Woolwich ferry.
When I atempted to use it after I had been refused the use of the dartford tunnel, the traffic coordinater there said if i removed the haz stickers and orange plates he would let me use it.
obviously i refused his offer, and went straight through the centre of london.
weeto:
Retired Old ■■■■:
And don’t forget the new(ish) tunnel category signs.And it would be as well to remind folks that any haulier transporting hazardous goods has, by law, to have a nominated Hazardous Goods Safety Officer. And before anyone enquires, yes, it does include owner drivers. Although they have the option of engaging one outside of their own operation, as do all hauliers.
A DGSA has been a requirement for years.
Hi weeto,
Both you and ROF are correct.
The DGSA law came into force in the UK on 01/01/2000.
dieseldave:
OK chaps, I’ve been rather busy just lately but reading this has been fun.The history of this new road sign goes back to 2003ish.
Back then, all the ADR member countries regulated dangerous goods going through tunnels by use of their own laws, such as their version of the Road Traffic Act. The problem was that foreign drivers had no idea which dangerous goods could be carried through which tunnels.
In one of the meetings when they chew over what changes they’re going to make to ADR, they decided to standardise the notion of which dangerous goods could be carried through which tunnels, and in what amounts.
Road tunnels of >500mtrs length on major routes have to be classified by National Authorities in each country. There is a standard set of criteria, so it’s easy for the various countries to decide which tunnel category any of their tunnels fit into. Tunnel categories are given letters A-E dependant on many criteria such as length, access for fire brigades, lighting, information systems, communication systems. In other words, how safe the tunnel is.
All dangerous goods are allocated a tunnel code in ADR, which is based on the degree and kind(s) of danger presented by each of the goods allocated to a UN number. (It does NOT depend on the Class of the dangerous goods.
All this is set in national and international law, which also applies in the UK.The sign that ROG showed in his OP simply means: “Dangerous goods restriction ahead.” (NOT a ban
On the same (large) sign as the restriction sign, there will also be a tunnel code letter AND an alternative route, such as on this sign in Liverpool:
0
The sign must be placed at a point where it is possible for a driver to take the alternative route ie; well in advance of the tunnel.
All this is taught on an ADR course, but for those who don’t have ADR…
Dangerous goods have to be described in a certain way (format) on a driver’s documentation.
For example: UN 1203 PETROL, 3, PGII (D/E)
For tunnels, it’s the “(D/E)” that counts.
When there are two letters as above, the first relates to tankers, whilst the second relates to ‘other carriage’ such as packages.A petrol tanker driver approaching this tunnel has the D/E on his paperwork, then sees the “D” on the sign. He can’t use that tunnel.
If another driver is carrying petrol in drums, he sees the D/E on his paperwork, but he can go through the tunnel, because petrol in packages is “E” but the tunnel is “D.”If the letter on your paperwork is the same as the letter on the tunnel sign, (or before it in the alphabet,) then you can’t go through that tunnel.
In the same way, a propane tanker can’t go through the Dartford tunnel because UN 1978 PROPANE, 2.1 (B/D) because the Dartford Tunnel is category “C.”
A driver carrying propane in cylinders can therefore go through the Dartford Tunnel, but not through the Mersey Tunnel.The above only applies once you have enough dangerous goods on board to trigger the requirement to display orange plates and have your ADR licence with you.
Dartford tunnel operate a 2 tier systm, were as a banned load may only be banned between 0500 and 2230, but can use the tunnel at other times, but they close the tunnel while the vehicle goes through, and apparently the dock tunnel in dublin also operates the same system
http://www.rha.uk.net/docs/newsletters/dgupdate/Dartford%20ADR%20Guidance%20notes.pdf
I thought the sign was no Easy Jet lorries.
Or no trucks with Jaffa cakes in transit or carrying hazourdous marmalade.
Does it ever cross the mind that road transport is rapidly approaching the point where it will be compulsory to do a degree course before being allowed to look at a lorry, let alone drive one?
For those interested, here’s a list of the UK tunnels and their codes:
Oh, and the penalties for ignoring the restrictions is a fine and or a prison sentence!
Yes all tunnels have a category as expained. Just wanted to add that it is a Europe wide thing. All tunnels have them throughout the EU !
Kerbdog:
Yes all tunnels have a category as expained. Just wanted to add that it is a Europe wide thing. All tunnels have them throughout the EU !
Hi Kerbdog,
Tunnels >500mtrs on major routes are signed, but a category ‘A’ tunnel needs no sign because there’s no restriction. 