Lorry Management in Suffolk
Suffolk County Council is responsible for
managing the highway network in Suffolk on all non-trunk roads. For
trunk roads please contact
www.highways.gov.uk.
As part of our
responsibility as the highway authority we work with the freight
and haulage companies to ensure that lorries use the most suitable
routes and roads to travel through or deliver goods within the
county.
The
lorry route network sets out the network of designated
lorry routes within the county.
Lorry Parks
Lorries parking in laybys and on county roads overnight can
cause disturbance to residents. The current level of overnight
lorry parking facilities for drivers in Suffolk does not provide
all drivers with a parking space off the highway.
The Highways Agency can help lorry drivers to find suitable
locations for overnight parking.
Please click
here
to use the interactive truckstop search.
Abnormal loads
Abnormal loads are vehicles, which exceed one or more of the
following:
- 18.75 metres long
- 2.9 metres wide
- 44 tonnes total weight
- an axle load of 11.5 tonnes
When hauliers wish to move
abnormal loads
they must notify the local highway
authority.
Weight Restrictions
There are two types of weight restrictions that are used on our
roads: environmental weight restriction and
weak bridge
weight restriction.
Environmental weight restrictions prevent large vehicles from
using inappropriate roads, routes and areas in order to:
- Prevent damage to buildings, roads and bridges
- Preserve the character, amenity and environment of an area
- Reduce and manage congestion on the roads; and
- Reduce danger to pedestrians and other road users
A weight restriction will only be considered on a road where
there is a high volume of through heavy goods vehicles, which could
use a more appropriate road. Weight restrictions can only be
introduced following the procedures associated with a
Traffic Regulation Order (TRO)
These weight restrictions are then enforced by
Trading
Standards. It is not always possible to introduce a weight
restriction, but it is sometimes possible to consider other
actions.
If a haulier is repeatedly driving down an unsuitable minor road
or is causing another lorry related issue, please complete the
HGV Incident Report Form and we will contact the relevant
Haulage Company and take action if necessary.
Further information on Suffolk County Council Lorry Management
Plan can be found in our advisory leaflet.
For more information please contact the
Customer Service
Centre.