Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) are a necessary requirement to transport a wide range of goods for delivery to both residential and commercial properties throughout Central Bedfordshire. HGVs are encouraged to use designated routes in accordance with Central Bedfordshire’s Designated Freight Route Network (DFRN) for most of their journey. Some destinations may be located off more minor roads or residential roads where HGVs require access to premises.
Our Freight Strategy (PDF) sets out how we are managing freight movements in Central Bedfordshire.
7.5-tonne weight limits
We have in place several 7.5-tonne environmental weight limits throughout Central Bedfordshire. These are in place on roads where there is a higher quality and equally convenient alternative route that HGVs can take to reach their destination.
All our environmental 7.5-tonne weight limits have permitted exemptions which are:
- access for deliveries or collections
- access to off-street premises
- emergency service vehicles
- in connection with any building operation
- highway maintenance vehicles
- agricultural vehicles
- public service vehicles such as buses and coaches
- in connection with professional driver training or testing
- any vehicle that has a maximum gross weight less than 7.5 tonnes (the maximum gross weight is the maximum permitted weight of the vehicle when fully loaded)
A 7.5-tonne weight limit doesn’t stop every HGV from using a route, but it will prevent HGVs from using a route as a through route where they do not have a valid reason to be there covered by one of the permitted exceptions.
Traffic regulation orders
If the decision is taken to introduce a new weight limit or to alter an existing one, this will require the introduction or amendment of a traffic regulation order (TRO), which involves a statutory process including a public consultation.
Enforcement of weight limits
The enforcement of weight limits is the responsibility of Bedfordshire Police. If you believe an HGV is driving through an area that has a weight limit in place, and doesn't have a valid reason to be there covered by one of the permitted exemptions, you can report the HGV to the police as a driving offence, providing as much information as possible including:
- vehicle registration number
- company name
- date and time
- location
Structural weight limits
In Central Bedfordshire there are also structural weight limits in place. These are usually introduced to protect weak bridges. There are no exceptions for structural weight limits, they apply to every type of vehicle over the specified weight.
Height limits
Height restrictions are introduced where a low bridge would physically prevent access for all large vehicles over the specified height. They are introduced to prevent bridge strikes; signs are used to direct large vehicles to use the most appropriate alternative route available.
Advisory signs
It is also possible to use advisory signs to warn drivers of large vehicles (such as heavy goods vehicles, buses, articulated vehicles, long or wide vehicles) that a route is unsuitable for them to use. These signs are generally used on more rural routes where the features of the road such as the width, bends, and lack of passing places may mean that when faced with oncoming traffic one of the vehicles would be forced to reverse for some distance, and in exceptional circumstances a large vehicle could get stuck.
To reduce sign clutter, these signs will not be used on every route that is unsuitable for a large vehicle to use but would be appropriate where we are made aware of a particular issue. This may be near to a large vehicle trip generator and on a map the route looks as if it would create a shortcut back to the Designated Freight Route Network.