New system to support hauliers moving abnormal indivisible loads through tight situations

Essex Police has introduced a new process designed to make the movement of abnormal indivisible loads (AILs) safer, simpler and more efficient for haulage companies operating across Essex.

Essex Police’s new approach marks a significant shift in how AILs are supported across the region. By simplifying the process, enhancing training, and working closely with industry experts, the force aims to ensure that essential transport movements can take place safely, legally and without unnecessary cost to hauliers.

The system has been in place since December 2025 and is mirrored across Suffolk and Norfolk.

The initiative provides hauliers with a structured way to request short term police assistance at identified pinch points along their planned route. These are high risk locations where a load may face difficulty legally negotiating a junction, narrow road, tight turn or other feature that presents a potential risk to public safety.

The new approach bridges the gap between occasions where a haulier can self escort and situations that would previously have required a full police escort under Special Policing Services. For isolated, single-location challenges, police support may now be provided without charge, when they are available to do so.

Normally, abnormal loads can be moved without any further need to close roads or direct traffic flows. However, some movements involve one specific point on a route where additional support from trained police officers reduces risks to the public, the driver and the load itself.

The objective of the new system is to:

• Minimise risk when moving AILs through complex or high risk areas

• Prevent unnecessary operational expense for hauliers

• Provide clarity and consistency in how AIL movements are facilitated

• Strengthen collaboration between police and the heavy haulage sector

Once a haulier identifies a pinch point and requests support, through their normal Notice of Intention to Move submission, Essex Police will:

1. Allocate trained officers to liaise with the driver or attendant, assessing load dimensions, width, rigid length and any relevant risks to determine whether the AIL can pass safely.

2. Attend the specified location and support the AIL through the identified hazard.

3. Authorise and facilitate onward movement once it is safe to proceed.

This streamlined approach enhances safety while reducing delays and unnecessary deployment of full escort teams. It delivers clearer communication, free movement along routes, and reductions in both time and cost and the system will now be standardised across Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk.

In addition to this formalised process Essex Police have also:

1. Relaxed embargo time movements.

Where hauliers can safely self escort and maintain progress without affecting both lanes of traffic, they may now be permitted to move abnormal loads during embargo hours. This allows for vital construction projects requiring a mobile crane as an example to get to site and back to base without having to avoid the embargo times.

2. Enhanced training for police officers and staff involved in the management of AIL’s

All staff involved in reviewing Notices of Intention to Move have undertaken and passed the Health and Safety Executive approved risk assessment training, including NEBOSH-accredited qualifications. This professionalises the team and ensures that risk assessments meet industry recognised standards.

Sergeant Jason Dearsley, from Essex Police’s Commercial Vehicle Unit, said:

We believe that by relaxing or making clearer the stringent conditions imposed upon hauliers, and supported with evidence, we can grant greater freedoms for companies. This allows the safe movement of our biggest and often slowest loads moving across Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk, whilst increasing their productivity.
By formalising the ‘pinch point’ process, Essex Police can better understand each company’s needs in advance and allocate support at an agreed time.
As an organisation, we have an obligation to facilitate these lawful movements, but we also need to ensure road safety for all, and this new process is a step towards improved working procedures and enhanced relationships.
The process will be facilitated by fully trained Commercial Vehicle Unit officers and supported by additionally trained roads policing officers.

As part of implementing the new system, Essex Police is working with the Heavy Transport Association (HTA)—the UK’s specialist trade body for the heavy and abnormal load industry since 1983.

Officers will take part in a dedicated day of learning with HTA experts to develop shared practices, improve communication, and ensure that both parties understand how to work safely and effectively during these movements.

Chris Britton, Chairman of the Heavy Transport Association, said:

The Heavy Transport Association welcomes the practical and collaborative approach adopted by Essex Police and the Eastern Region Commercial Vehicle Units. The formalisation of the single ‘pinch point’ process provides a clear, proportionate way to manage risk at challenging locations, reducing the need for full police escorts while keeping public safety paramount. Essex Police have struck the right balance between public safety and operational efficiency.
The relaxation of embargo hours for safe self-escort movements is a sensible step that allows essential projects to proceed without unnecessary delays, demonstrating that operational efficiency and safety can go hand in hand.
This initiative shows that the NPCC guidelines issued in June 2025 are entirely achievable when industry and enforcement engage openly, share expertise, and work together.
As the UK’s specialist trade body for abnormal and heavy transport, the HTA is committed to supporting forces with technical knowledge and operational insight. Collaborative learning days strengthen alignment across regions and provide a foundation for consistent, safe practices nationwide.
The safe and lawful movement of abnormal loads is vital to the country’s infrastructure, and this partnership sets a strong example for others to follow.

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