Long Vehicle in London

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
View Threaded
Fri 17 Sep 2004 12:38
Long Vehicle in London - BrianW
If I drive an 18 metre (56ft) long vehicle through central London, do I need to inform the police and maybe have a escort?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 17 Sep 2004 15:54
Long Vehicle in London - Dwight Van Driver
Depends if is a rigid, with or without trailer, or an artic depending on distance between king pin and rear of semi trailer.
If the various lengths allowed are exceeded then vehicle comes under the rules of "Special Types" and 48 hours notice needed to Police and Highways Authority.

I seem to remember that Meto had special rules as well as to very large vehicles and because of congestion etc. liked to monitor movement.

Suggest you contact Met Police and give then all relevant details and route proposed.They will advise accordingly and if they OK then you have their blessing so no hassle.

DVD
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 17 Sep 2004 17:16
Long Vehicle in London - BrianW
Thanks DVD

I ask because bendy buses are 18 metres long !
Wondered if they were legally allowed to be let loose on their own?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 17 Sep 2004 17:37
Long Vehicle in London - DavidHM
I was sitting in the Centre Point bar on New Oxford St last Thursday evening, where the buses starting at Tottenham Court Rd tube come out and then either go back on themselves down Charing Cross Road, or off towards Islington, etc.

On New Oxford St, facing east, there was a Dutch-registered three axle artic (at a guess, about 20t weight and no idea of the length) that performed a U-turn around the junction in one go at the no U-turn sign. Frankly some car drivers would have struggled to pull the manoeuvre off so neatly.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 17 Sep 2004 19:09
Long Vehicle in London - daveb0789
According to the Highway code you need an escort if your total vehicle length exceeds 90 feet.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 17 Sep 2004 21:35
Long Vehicle in London - Simon
BrianW, is this a hypothetical question or an actual situation that you may find yourself in? My understanding is that 60ft is the maximum permitted length (in this country) you can be before you become an 'abnormal load' and need to start informing the various police counties about your intention to travel on 'their' roads.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 18 Sep 2004 00:33
Long Vehicle in London - BrianW
Hypothetical, I was rather hoping that Red Ken might have shot himself in the foot, but it seems not.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link