023 920 05119 info@arbanks.co.uk

Heavy Haulage With A R Banks' Fleet

Safe, reliable transport for abnormal and oversized loads across the UK

 


Call Us To Get Your Heavy Haulage Quote

At A R Banks, we provide expert heavy haulage services, using our extensive fleet and deep industry knowledge to transport abnormal loads safely and efficiently. From initial planning to final delivery, we manage every stage of your project with precision.

Managing heavy haulage projects from start to finish, we carefully consider each and every aspect of our service to ensure a smooth journey and happy customers.

Heavy Haulage You Can Trust

In the UK, The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations specify the maximum gross weight of the vehicle, trailer and load is 44 tonnes. If you need to transport a load that’s over 44 tonnes, rest assured that we can assist you.

We’re able to exceed this limit using our Heavy Haulage STGO Service. STGOs - or Special Types General Orders - are a set of regulations that allow unusual vehicles to be driven on UK highways.

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Call Us To Get Your Heavy Haulage Quote

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Speak To Our Team About Heavy Haulage

Telephone Number: 023 9200 5119 / 07891 984933

Email Address: operations@arbanks.co.uk

 

"Excellent Service from Start to Finish!

A R Banks were incredibly helpful throughout the entire process. We had a tricky Hiab delivery, and they handled it seamlessly, making everything smooth for us and ensuring a successful delivery to our customer.

Their pricing was very competitive, and I don’t think you’d find better value for money with such outstanding customer service at this price! We’ll definitely be using them again. Highly recommend!"

Sarah Bett

Our service to you

We have the expertise to transport heavy cargo and the ability to manage your project from start to finish. Our Transport Team will handle all aspects of the move, everything from the initial assessment to evaluate what’s needed, the issuing of the necessary notifications to the Police and Bridge authorities, to arranging site surveys, route planning and escort vehicles where required.

Route Surveys

A Route Survey is a detailed assessment conducted to identify the safest, most efficient route for transporting large loads, minimising risks and ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements. It involves:

  • Route selection: Choosing a path that can accommodate the size and weight of the load with minimal disruptions or modifications needed.
  • Infrastructure analysis: Checking for adequate infrastructure along the route, such as roads, bridges, overpasses, to ensure they can support the load’s weight and dimensions.
  • Obstacle identification: Identifying potential obstacles along the route, such as narrow passages, low bridges, or tight turns that might require special handling or rerouting.
  • Permit requirements: Determining what permits are required for the chosen route, as oversized loads often need special permissions from various local, state, or federal authorities.
Abnormal Load Escorting

Abnormal Load Escorting involves the use of escort vehicles to accompany an oversized load during transport. It’s crucial for maintaining road safety, protecting the load and infrastructure, and ensuring that the transport operation complies with legal requirements. Escort vehicles perform several functions:

  • Safety communication: Escort vehicles help communicate the presence of an oversized load to other road users. This can involve signalling when the load is making wide turns, changing lanes or encountering obstacles.
  • Traffic management: Escort vehicles can help manage traffic around the oversized load, ensuring safe passage and minimising disruption.
  • Route clearance: They may go ahead of the load to ensure the route is clear of unexpected obstacles or to manage traffic control.
  • Emergency support: In case of any issues during transport, escort vehicles are on hand to provide immediate assistance and help resolve problems.
Lowloader lorry transporting a vehicle

Specialist Fleet

On our specialist haulage fleet we have an extensive range of equipment, enabling us to provide STGO 1 & STGO 2 category heavy haulage services. This, coupled with our experienced specialist haulage drivers ensures that any movements are completed efficiently and without incident.

Combined with experienced drivers and support crews, our equipment ensures safe, efficient movements across the UK.

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Safety Measures

Every aspect of the service we provide to support the transportation of your heavy load will be carefully considered to ensure complete safety. We have full public liability insurance and we’re FORS Silver and CLOCS accredited, which demonstrates our commitment to safety in all we do.

As members of the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and the Heavy Transport Association (HTA), we offer enhanced safety and reliability in our heavy haulage services. These memberships ensure that we adhere to the highest standards of industry practice and regulatory compliance.

The RHA and HTA provide us with up-to-date information on safety protocols, legal regulations, and best practices specific to heavy transport, which enables us to maintain an exceptional level of operational safety.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Heavy Haulage

 

Heavy haulage generally refers to any load that exceeds standard road vehicle limits. In the UK, this usually means vehicles over 44 tonnes gross weight, 2.9 metres wide, 4.5 metres high, or 18.65 metres long. Loads are often indivisible, meaning they can’t be broken down for easier transport. Typical examples include construction machinery, industrial equipment, modular buildings, marine structures, and agricultural machinery.

Compliance is essential for safety, legal responsibility, and operational efficiency. Following rules ensures road safety, protects bridges and infrastructure, manages legal liability, minimises environmental impact, and guarantees smooth delivery of abnormal loads.

We perform detailed route surveys to identify obstacles, check infrastructure, and plan the safest route. We then arrange permits, escort vehicles, and the appropriate specialist transport equipment, such as lowloaders or modular trailers. Loads are carefully secured, and we coordinate with authorities, utility companies, and other stakeholders to ensure a safe, efficient transport process.

Transporting abnormal loads involves navigating low bridges, narrow roads, and weight-restricted structures, securing permits, arranging escorts, and using specialised vehicles. Urban areas, border crossings, and complex sites require careful coordination and experienced teams to avoid delays or damage.

Costs are higher due to specialised equipment, route planning, permit applications, escort services, and the expertise required to safely move oversized loads. Insurance, fuel, and labour costs are also elevated, reflecting the high-value and high-risk nature of heavy haulage

We provide heavy haulage services across Southampton, Hampshire, and the wider UK, managing projects of any size while ensuring compliance, safety, and efficiency.