Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) deliver goods to homes and businesses throughout Central Bedfordshire. We encourage drivers to use our Designated Freight Route Network (DFRN) for most of their journey. Drivers may need to use minor or residential roads to reach some premises.
Our Freight Strategy (PDF) explains how we manage freight movements in Central Bedfordshire.
7.5-tonne weight limits
We use 7.5-tonne environmental weight limits on some roads where HGVs can reach their destination using a better, equally convenient alternative route.
These limits allow exemptions for:
- deliveries or collections
- access to off-street premises
- emergency service vehicles
- building work
- highway maintenance vehicles
- agricultural vehicles
- public service vehicles, such as buses and coaches
- professional driver training or testing
- vehicles with a maximum gross weight of less than 7.5 tonnes
Maximum gross weight means the maximum permitted weight of a vehicle when fully loaded.
A 7.5-tonne weight limit does not stop every HGV from using a road. It prevents drivers from using it as a through route unless one of the exemptions applies.
Information about existing weight and width limits
For information about an existing weight or width restriction in Central Bedfordshire, email us at strategic.transport@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
We do not enforce weight limits. Please report suspected offences to Bedfordshire Police using the link below.
Enforcement of weight limits
Bedfordshire Police enforce weight limits. If you believe an HGV is using a restricted road without a permitted exemption, you can report a suspected weight limit offence to Bedfordshire Police.
Include as much information as possible, such as:
- the vehicle registration number
- the company name
- the date and time
- the location
Traffic regulation orders
When we introduce or change a weight limit, we must create or amend a traffic regulation order (TRO). We must follow a legal process that includes public consultation.
Structural weight limits
We also use structural weight limits, usually to protect weak bridges. These limits apply to every vehicle over the specified weight, with no exemptions.
Height limits
We use height restrictions where vehicles above the specified height cannot safely pass under a low bridge. We use signs to help prevent bridge strikes and direct drivers to a suitable alternative route.
Advisory signs
We may use advisory signs to warn drivers that a route is unsuitable for large vehicles, including HGVs, buses, articulated vehicles and long or wide vehicles.
We generally use these signs on rural roads with narrow sections, bends or few passing places. These features can force drivers to reverse for some distance when they meet oncoming traffic. In exceptional circumstances, a large vehicle could get stuck.
To avoid unnecessary signs, we do not sign every unsuitable route. We may use signs where we identify a particular problem, such as near a site that attracts large vehicles or on a road that appears on a map to offer a shortcut to the Designated Freight Route Network.