Weight Limits
Cycoticpenguin
Do Goods Vehicle Weight Limits apply to PCV's?
It has always been my understanding that a bus or coach is only
restricted by signs indicating an overall weight limit on a road,
whereas a sign containing a pictogram of a lorry with a weight in it
only applies to a goods vehicle.
A colleauge has recently been issued with a PCN, based on CCTV
evidence, that he drove his bus (about 10 ton) through a 7.5 ton goods
vehicle restriction.
The union has told him to appeal, but what is the real story?
Ian
"Cycoticpenguin" <seae...@seaeagle.net> wrote in message
news:f90a0c07-c4c2-47c6...@l64g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
is weight restricted, then the weight limit does not apply to buses
*operating that service*. It does apply to ther buses.
Such an exemption would apply wher the weight limit has been applied for
environmental reasons.
Where there is a physical reason for a weight limit - a very weak bridge,
for example, then the bus operator would either use vehicles which comply
(or have dispensation to use buses which approach compliance); or would set
the route to avoid the weight limit altogether.
Some bridges have two weight limits - one for normal traffic, one for buses.
(e.g. between Brockenhurst and Sway in the New Forest.)
Coaches, privately-owned buses etc, buses "NotOnService" etc, would be
expected to comply.
There may be "Except For Access" exemptions.
On a slight tangent, the weight loading of buses and coaches CAN be
enforced. Quite a few coaches returning from booze-cruise trips to France
have had to have several crates of lager, etc unloaded at Dover ..... :o)
John Williamson
*only* to goods vehicles, according to the Highway Code. PCNs based on
these restrictions have been successfully appealed in the past, even to
the extent where councils have erected the lorry sign in error instead
of the intended vehicle gross weight sign. That one went to the appeal
court.
Appeal, enclosing photographic evidence of the sign showing the restriction.
On the other hand, if the sign just shows a gross weight, then it's a
valid PCN.
The Highways agency website shows 2 weight restriction signs, as does
the Highway Code, one with a picture of a lorry labelled as a
restriction on goods vehicles, & the other with just a weight shown,
labelled as applying to all vehicles.
However, I am not a lawyer, & the law I learnt on this may have changed....
One area that amuses me in Newcastle under Lyme has the 7.5 tonne
restriction signs & plates below that state "For Access", so presumably,
you can drive anything *through* the restricted area, but can't use the
roads for access to premises with anything over 7.5 tonnes. I'd like to
see that one go to court, as long as it's someone else being taken there.
--
Tciao for Now!
John.
Ivor Jones
Cycoticpenguin <seae...@seaeagle.net> typed, for some strange,
unexplained reason:
: Can anyone clarify or provide an answer to the following:
Was he on an official route..?
Ivor
Cycoticpenguin
> Innews:f90a0c07-c4c2-47c6...@l64g2000hse.googlegroups.com,
> Cycoticpenguin <seaea...@seaeagle.net> typed, for some strange,
> unexplained reason:
> : Can anyone clarify or provide an answer to the following:
> :
> : Do Goods Vehicle Weight Limits apply to PCV's?
> :
> : It has always been my understanding that a bus or coach is only
> : restricted by signs indicating an overall weight limit on a road,
> : whereas a sign containing a pictogram of a lorry with a weight in it
> : only applies to a goods vehicle.
> :
> : A colleauge has recently been issued with a PCN, based on CCTV
> : evidence, that he drove his bus (about 10 ton) through a 7.5 ton goods
> : vehicle restriction.
> :
> : The union has told him to appeal, but what is the real story?
>
> Was he on an official route..?
>
> Ivor
Many thanks to you all, especially John Williamson. We have got the
union to put an appeal in today. As soon as we get a decision I'll let
you know what it is!