Tried looking online but couldn’t find it. Can someone tell me how wide a load has got to be before an ■■■■■■ is required?
Thanks
Depends on the roads being used , I had a ■■■■■■ recently for a 4 m load .
jakethesnake:
Transporting abnormal loads: Abnormal loads - GOV.UK
Looked at that already, but nothing on when you need to be escorted.
Over 3.5 m wide needs an attendant be it a second man in the truck or an ■■■■■■ vehicle.
From experience a second vehicle in communication with you is a lot more useful than someone sat next to you.
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Obviously 2.9 to 3.5 m just needs to be marked up properly. Marker boards. Lights if needed.
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Don’t forget the over the top.flashing beacons as many as humanly possible seems to be standard
edd1974:
Don’t forget the over the top.flashing beacons as many as humanly possible seems to be standard
That’s the one. Especially when it only over hangs each side by an inch so the load still isn’t as wide as yer mirrors [emoji1787][emoji1787]
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edd1974:
Don’t forget the over the top.flashing beacons as many as humanly possible seems to be standard
Just one on the back,and 15 on the front…for me. 
Still amazes me how many dimwits don’t notice though.
Pros,included.
Nice wide load convoy going up the M6 this morning causing a bit of chaos. Army of ■■■■■■ vehicles but to be fair they were about 8m wide
I find when you use Esdal to put the notice on each relevant force will let you know if they require an ■■■■■■ vehicle, if they dont ask for one i dont use one and just take a (much cheaper) second man, if your route involves Scotland then Police Scotland will send you an “non ■■■■■■” doc via email
Argyll and Bute area normally require an ■■■■■■ over 2.9mt, anywhere else doesn’t usually bother until you hit 3.5mt.
edd1974:
Don’t forget the over the top.flashing beacons as many as humanly possible seems to be standard
Followed some clown in a rigid up the A9 one night last week doing 46 mph. No word of a lie he had an over hang on each side of about 10 cm but still had a full grill and roof of beacons going and one on the back for good measure blinding anyone who was unfortunate enough to be stuck behind him. Oncoming wagons were slowing down and hugging the nearside expecting it to be a tight squeeze passing. Causing a complete inconvenience to everyone.
Re original question, see section 8 and 8.1 of mat79’s link.
However you could do like the low loader i passed last week on the A1 (in a car). Fully lit up both front and back with convoy exceptional on front etc. Followed up arse end by ■■■■■■ vehicle fully lit front, back, sides etc. looking like the Coke truck.
It was carrying a massive load of fresh air at around 56mph up hill and not an inch wider than anything else! Ie: absolutely bugger all reason for any lights what so ever except to both look like prize giving turkeys. Bet they get paid more than most of us too.
Wide loads and their escorts where out en-mass today on the A1 between Doncaster and Ferrybridge
Anyway I find it nice this time of the year when I see a wide load lit up like an Xmas tree. Getting in the festive spirit
It’s the ■■■■■■ vans (and police and ambulance) with those super high intensity ones. Painful on the eyes in the dark they are.
Anything over 3.5 metres needs an ■■■■■■. You should have a red and white striped reflective board 500mm square on each corner and preferably a flashing beacon on each protruding part of the load, ie each corner. On the front and rear of the truck you will need a sign WIDE LOAD in reflective and if your going over the pond the signs should read CONVOI EXCEPTIONAL
Good Luck
Ben. Retired International Heavy Haulage Driver
I forgot to say you will need a permit and a route from the police in every county you pass through and local councils if you are travelling over certain bridges. I have the contact numbers here and email addresses of every police force in the U.K. if you need them. PM me if you need them
Regards Ben