bigstu99:
we had this happen to my firm a branch of national builders merchants one of our 18t trucks went over a bridge which has a weight limit of 7.5t except for access, there were people standing one side of the bridge taking reg numbers.
About 2 weeks later the manager got a letter stating that if we were unable to prove we had a reason for going over said bridge we would get a fine,we sent a copy of a del note to them and we have not heard anything since . so they do follow it up .
Why was it down to your company to prove they were innocent surley its down to them
to prove you were guilty . It use to be innocent until proven guilty or is that not the case anymore
Whilst I agree with your idea, it’s not very practical. They’re hardly likely to go knocking on every door the other side of the bridge to make sure you wasn’t delivering to any of them. It’s like being caught for speeding, it’s up to the owner to declare who’s driving, not the prosecution
Hang on…they want do gooder’s with far too much time on their hands to write down truck reg’s and maybe take photo’s to prove the truck was there…isn’t that what the Eddie Stobart fan club is for■■?
I wouldn’t mind so much about the weight limits, if they’d only signpost a viable alternative route. All too often you come across a restriction, turn round, go back and try another route only to end up running into either another restriction or worse ending up miles out of your way and getting a rifting from your boss or customer for being late. In places like the Cotswolds this is rife, and you can go a helluva long way off route just trying to keep to the law.
I know of at least one place down here where the only alternative route has this at the junction;
So how the heck do you go on then if you’re not familiar with the area?
I have the silly Tom Tom sat nav for cars,i will need to get the Snooper for HGV use,it does ADR routing and has a TV too,does the bridges and weight limits,good for London,i have come a cropper many times,stuck in small villages,parked cars,double parked,lanes that are the width of the artic,and very nearly did not get round a few tight corners.
One day a crane or a tow truck will have to get me out,like that fridge lorry in Cornwall that follwed his nan nav.
The government must be laughing to get free labour to do their work,do gooders with money and time to spare to dock us for working,a tractor unit will get nicked as the dvla data base will view it as a 44 tonner,or whatever it is registered as at dvla.You would have to get proof of some sort,the paper does not indicate the use of camers and videos to record plates,just writting numbers down all day.
8wheels:
Slightly off topic but could you drive a solo artic unit through a 30t weight limit, I’d say yes because the unit would be plated at between 18 & 26t depending on axle configuration. Only the trailer would make the GVW increase. A drawbar outfit would be the same surely.
I know that 30t is an odd one but I’ve seen one once in East Sussex.
no, as the unit is taxed at 44 tonne, regardless of whether it has a trailer on the back or not
the prime mover of a W&D combination is ok as that can be used purely as a rigid, and also taxed as such, the trailer part of the W&D combination has its own tax
An artic unit is still plated for 18 or 26 tonne, just the same as a rigid prime mover, the road tax doesn’t come into it. it may be an artic plated at 28 tonne like Neil used to own but without a trailer it is still an 18 tonne rigid that weighs 7 tonne, but it still aint allowed across my bridge
Normally if a bridge like the one mentioned is signed at 30 tonne, that is the maximum weight it will stand regardless of it being an artic, rigid / drawbar or an eight legger tipper.
The reason I get so ■■■■■■ off is the fact that if my bridge is blocked or damaged, it means a longer journey through Castle Donington and back up the A50. It also makes an ambulance trip to hospital almost an hour in length.
And the unpaid volunteers are the same elected people who sit on the local parish council. Unpaid!
Wheelnut, you’re referring of course to Swarkestone Bridge just outside Derby. That’s a bit of a one-off though; IIRC it’s listed as an Ancient Monument and there are good and valid reasons for protecting it, plus the diversions are well signposted. I should know, I lived in Derby for quite a while, and at least the A50 now gives a quicker diversion than was previously the case.
The ones that bug many of us are those where there is no apparent logical reason for the weight restriction, and there’s no warning of them until it’s far too late. By far the worst are those where the route crosses the border between two local authorities, and it becomes blindingly obvious that they haven’t consulted each other as to the potential hassles.
gnasty gnome:
Wheelnut, you’re referring of course to Swarkestone Bridge just outside Derby. That’s a bit of a one-off though; IIRC it’s listed as an Ancient Monument and there are good and valid reasons for protecting it, plus the diversions are well signposted. I should know, I lived in Derby for quite a while, and at least the A50 now gives a quicker diversion than was previously the case.
The ones that bug many of us are those where there is no apparent logical reason for the weight restriction, and there’s no warning of them until it’s far too late. By far the worst are those where the route crosses the border between two local authorities, and it becomes blindingly obvious that they haven’t consulted each other as to the potential hassles.
That is the one and apart from it being a national treasure, it also stopped Charles Stewart who later got his arse kicked in Culloden
But Swarkestone Causeway is very well signed and there are viable routes including the M1 and A42 to cross the river. There have been 7.5 tonne limits in Derby for as as long as I have been driving lorries.
Wheel Nut:
There have been 7.5 tonne limits in Derby for as as long as I have been driving lorries.
Absolutely, especially in the city centre; graveyard of many a lost lorry driver! Reason I referred to Swarkestone as a “one-off” is that it’s restricted to 7 tonnes rather than 7.5, presumably to stop lorries altogether; though why they haven’t changed it to 3.5 tonnes in line with other similar structures I don’t know, perhaps to allow tractors and the like as there must be farmers who have fields both sides of the bridge.
Wheel Nut:
There have been 7.5 tonne limits in Derby for as as long as I have been driving lorries.
The limits in Derby city centre are just not enforceable, hardly any of the signage complies with the RTA or the relevant traffic orders .
They’ve just downgraded the bridge on city gate from 18t to 7.5t. If it’s 7.5t for trucks and the bridge is allegedly so delicate, why doesn’t the restriction include buses?
Wheel Nut:
There have been 7.5 tonne limits in Derby for as as long as I have been driving lorries.
The limits in Derby city centre are just not enforceable, hardly any of the signage complies with the RTA or the relevant traffic orders .
They’ve just downgraded the bridge on city gate from 18t to 7.5t. If it’s 7.5t for trucks and the bridge is allegedly so delicate, why doesn’t the restriction include buses?
My argument too, about the Swarkestone buses, 7 or 8 double deckers every day for the lazy kids who wont walk 5 miles to school The next alternative would be 300 extra 4x4 and people carriers
People need to engage their [zb] brains and realise that rural parts of the country don’t have multiple route choices to get to places. Item 4.1 in the report linked illustrates this point perfectly. All they are achieving is shifting the heavies into some other [zb]'s backyard.
8wheels:
Slightly off topic but could you drive a solo artic unit through a 30t weight limit, I’d say yes because the unit would be plated at between 18 & 26t depending on axle configuration. Only the trailer would make the GVW increase. A drawbar outfit would be the same surely.
I know that 30t is an odd one but I’ve seen one once in East Sussex.
no, as the unit is taxed at 44 tonne, regardless of whether it has a trailer on the back or not
the prime mover of a W&D combination is ok as that can be used purely as a rigid, and also taxed as such, the trailer part of the W&D combination has its own tax
An artic unit is still plated for 18 or 26 tonne, just the same as a rigid prime mover, the road tax doesn’t come into it. it may be an artic plated at 28 tonne like Neil used to own but without a trailer it is still an 18 tonne rigid that weighs 7 tonne, but it still aint allowed across my bridge
Normally if a bridge like the one mentioned is signed at 30 tonne, that is the maximum weight it will stand regardless of it being an artic, rigid / drawbar or an eight legger tipper.
The reason I get so ■■■■■■ off is the fact that if my bridge is blocked or damaged, it means a longer journey through Castle Donington and back up the A50. It also makes an ambulance trip to hospital almost an hour in length.
And the unpaid volunteers are the same elected people who sit on the local parish council. Unpaid!
So you are saying that Rob is wrong and a 4 or 6 leg tractor unit could legally cross the bridge in Bradford-upon-Avon, yes?
Where is Neil when you need him? Too much MMTM style posting in this thread.
8wheels:
Slightly off topic but could you drive a solo artic unit through a 30t weight limit, I’d say yes because the unit would be plated at between 18 & 26t depending on axle configuration. Only the trailer would make the GVW increase. A drawbar outfit would be the same surely.
I know that 30t is an odd one but I’ve seen one once in East Sussex.
no, as the unit is taxed at 44 tonne, regardless of whether it has a trailer on the back or not
the prime mover of a W&D combination is ok as that can be used purely as a rigid, and also taxed as such, the trailer part of the W&D combination has its own tax
An artic unit is still plated for 18 or 26 tonne, just the same as a rigid prime mover, the road tax doesn’t come into it. it may be an artic plated at 28 tonne like Neil used to own but without a trailer it is still an 18 tonne rigid that weighs 7 tonne, but it still aint allowed across my bridge
Normally if a bridge like the one mentioned is signed at 30 tonne, that is the maximum weight it will stand regardless of it being an artic, rigid / drawbar or an eight legger tipper.
The reason I get so ■■■■■■ off is the fact that if my bridge is blocked or damaged, it means a longer journey through Castle Donington and back up the A50. It also makes an ambulance trip to hospital almost an hour in length.
And the unpaid volunteers are the same elected people who sit on the local parish council. Unpaid!
So you are saying that Rob is wrong and a 4 or 6 leg tractor unit could legally cross the bridge in Bradford-upon-Avon, yes?
Where is Neil when you need him? Too much MMTM style posting in this thread.
I see no difference between a 26 tonne rigid and an artic unit with a padlock on the turntable or the fifth wheel removed which as we know is not necessary, a 3 axle artic unit is a rigid in law and can be driven on a C licence.
The roads signs I mean are 7.5t Maximum Gross Weight, not unladen weight, road tax classification or anything else.
Bradford upon Avon is in this link and the sign says 18 Tonne except for permit holders, this is apparently a temporary measure until they finish the Kingston Mill Development
8wheels:
Slightly off topic but could you drive a solo artic unit through a 30t weight limit, I’d say yes because the unit would be plated at between 18 & 26t depending on axle configuration. Only the trailer would make the GVW increase. A drawbar outfit would be the same surely.
I know that 30t is an odd one but I’ve seen one once in East Sussex.
no, as the unit is taxed at 44 tonne, regardless of whether it has a trailer on the back or not
the prime mover of a W&D combination is ok as that can be used purely as a rigid, and also taxed as such, the trailer part of the W&D combination has its own tax
An artic unit is still plated for 18 or 26 tonne, just the same as a rigid prime mover, the road tax doesn’t come into it. it may be an artic plated at 28 tonne like Neil used to own but without a trailer it is still an 18 tonne rigid that weighs 7 tonne, but it still aint allowed across my bridge
Normally if a bridge like the one mentioned is signed at 30 tonne, that is the maximum weight it will stand regardless of it being an artic, rigid / drawbar or an eight legger tipper.
The reason I get so ■■■■■■ off is the fact that if my bridge is blocked or damaged, it means a longer journey through Castle Donington and back up the A50. It also makes an ambulance trip to hospital almost an hour in length.
And the unpaid volunteers are the same elected people who sit on the local parish council. Unpaid!
So you are saying that Rob is wrong and a 4 or 6 leg tractor unit could legally cross the bridge in Bradford-upon-Avon, yes?
Where is Neil when you need him? Too much MMTM style posting in this thread.
I see no difference between a 26 tonne rigid and an artic unit with a padlock on the turntable or the fifth wheel removed which as we know is not necessary, a 3 axle artic unit is a rigid in law and can be driven on a C licence.
The roads signs I mean are 7.5t Maximum Gross Weight, not unladen weight, road tax classification or anything else.
Bradford upon Avon is in this link and the sign says 18 Tonne except for permit holders, this is apparently a temporary measure until they finish the Kingston Mill Development
You are now moving the goal posts Malcolm. You didn’t mention anything about padlocks on fifth wheels or removing them. My question was based on your previous post.
Having seen comments from both sides in this thread, I am left unsure as to who is correct here. An 18t MGW sign surely should mean exactly that, 18 tonne max gross weight. So if you go over in a solo tractor unit that has a MGW plated for anything higher than 18 tonnes (which the overwhelming majority do) then surely you are breaking the law because your 44t MGW plate on the truck is 26t higher than the 18t MGW limit on the sign. The fact you haven’t got a trailer hooked up is surely irrelevant. ?
8wheels:
Slightly off topic but could you drive a solo artic unit through a 30t weight limit, I’d say yes because the unit would be plated at between 18 & 26t depending on axle configuration. Only the trailer would make the GVW increase. A drawbar outfit would be the same surely.
I know that 30t is an odd one but I’ve seen one once in East Sussex.
no, as the unit is taxed at 44 tonne, regardless of whether it has a trailer on the back or not
the prime mover of a W&D combination is ok as that can be used purely as a rigid, and also taxed as such, the trailer part of the W&D combination has its own tax
An artic unit is still plated for 18 or 26 tonne, just the same as a rigid prime mover, the road tax doesn’t come into it. it may be an artic plated at 28 tonne like Neil used to own but without a trailer it is still an 18 tonne rigid that weighs 7 tonne, but it still aint allowed across my bridge
Normally if a bridge like the one mentioned is signed at 30 tonne, that is the maximum weight it will stand regardless of it being an artic, rigid / drawbar or an eight legger tipper.
The reason I get so ■■■■■■ off is the fact that if my bridge is blocked or damaged, it means a longer journey through Castle Donington and back up the A50. It also makes an ambulance trip to hospital almost an hour in length.
And the unpaid volunteers are the same elected people who sit on the local parish council. Unpaid!
So you are saying that Rob is wrong and a 4 or 6 leg tractor unit could legally cross the bridge in Bradford-upon-Avon, yes?
Where is Neil when you need him? Too much MMTM style posting in this thread.
I see no difference between a 26 tonne rigid and an artic unit with a padlock on the turntable or the fifth wheel removed which as we know is not necessary, a 3 axle artic unit is a rigid in law and can be driven on a C licence.
The roads signs I mean are 7.5t Maximum Gross Weight, not unladen weight, road tax classification or anything else.
Bradford upon Avon is in this link and the sign says 18 Tonne except for permit holders, this is apparently a temporary measure until they finish the Kingston Mill Development
You are now moving the goal posts Malcolm. You didn’t mention anything about padlocks on fifth wheels or removing them. My question was based on your previous post.
Having seen comments from both sides in this thread, I am left unsure as to who is correct here. An 18t MGW sign surely should mean exactly that, 18 tonne max gross weight. So if you go over in a solo tractor unit that has a MGW plated for anything higher than 18 tonnes (which the overwhelming majority do) then surely you are breaking the law because your 44t MGW plate on the truck is 26t higher than the 18t MGW limit on the sign. The fact you haven’t got a trailer hooked up is surely irrelevant. ?
People need to engage their [zb] brains and realise that rural parts of the country don’t have multiple route choices to get to places. Item 4.1 in the report linked illustrates this point perfectly. All they are achieving is shifting the heavies into some other [zb]'s backyard.
Yep but these people are that shortsighted, they don’t really care about the affect it has on others provided thier little bit is truck free. Hence the term NIMBY.
8wheels:
Slightly off topic but could you drive a solo artic unit through a 30t weight limit, I’d say yes because the unit would be plated at between 18 & 26t depending on axle configuration. Only the trailer would make the GVW increase. A drawbar outfit would be the same surely.
I know that 30t is an odd one but I’ve seen one once in East Sussex.
no, as the unit is taxed at 44 tonne, regardless of whether it has a trailer on the back or not
the prime mover of a W&D combination is ok as that can be used purely as a rigid, and also taxed as such, the trailer part of the W&D combination has its own tax
An artic unit is still plated for 18 or 26 tonne, just the same as a rigid prime mover, the road tax doesn’t come into it. it may be an artic plated at 28 tonne like Neil used to own but without a trailer it is still an 18 tonne rigid that weighs 7 tonne, but it still aint allowed across my bridge
Normally if a bridge like the one mentioned is signed at 30 tonne, that is the maximum weight it will stand regardless of it being an artic, rigid / drawbar or an eight legger tipper.
The reason I get so ■■■■■■ off is the fact that if my bridge is blocked or damaged, it means a longer journey through Castle Donington and back up the A50. It also makes an ambulance trip to hospital almost an hour in length.
And the unpaid volunteers are the same elected people who sit on the local parish council. Unpaid!
So you are saying that Rob is wrong and a 4 or 6 leg tractor unit could legally cross the bridge in Bradford-upon-Avon, yes?
Where is Neil when you need him? Too much MMTM style posting in this thread.
I see no difference between a 26 tonne rigid and an artic unit with a padlock on the turntable or the fifth wheel removed which as we know is not necessary, a 3 axle artic unit is a rigid in law and can be driven on a C licence.
The roads signs I mean are 7.5t Maximum Gross Weight, not unladen weight, road tax classification or anything else.
Bradford upon Avon is in this link and the sign says 18 Tonne except for permit holders, this is apparently a temporary measure until they finish the Kingston Mill Development
You are now moving the goal posts Malcolm. You didn’t mention anything about padlocks on fifth wheels or removing them. My question was based on your previous post.
Having seen comments from both sides in this thread, I am left unsure as to who is correct here. An 18t MGW sign surely should mean exactly that, 18 tonne max gross weight. So if you go over in a solo tractor unit that has a MGW plated for anything higher than 18 tonnes (which the overwhelming majority do) then surely you are breaking the law because your 44t MGW plate on the truck is 26t higher than the 18t MGW limit on the sign. The fact you haven’t got a trailer hooked up is surely irrelevant. ?
is the correct answer
Might have to get the popcorn out for this one as Malc isn’t usually wrong either!!!
Wheel Nut:
Have a look at your plating certificate. I think it has
Axle 1 - 8100
Axle 2 -11500
Axle 3
Axle 4
It doesn’t seem to have any more room for the other 3 axles on the trailer
Are you sure the plating certificate doesn’t say Train Weight - 44Tonne
Rob the padlock was a joke to mislead
IIRC The plating certificate has a Design Train Weight and a Train Weight for UK and Also a Design Unit weight and UK Unit Weight
I think the one in my Unit is 18000kg Uk and 20000kg design weight
and then a train weight of 31000kg (been downplated for tax reasons) and a design train weight of 44000kg
Reason I referred to Swarkestone as a “one-off” is that it’s restricted to 7 tonnes rather than 7.5, presumably to stop lorries altogether; though why they haven’t changed it to 3.5 tonnes in line with other similar structures I don’t know, perhaps to allow tractors and the like as there must be farmers who have fields both sides of the bridge.
.
My question was based on your previous post.