Seven police forces agree new 'abnormal load' deal

An abnormal loads can hold up large sections of the motorway

Police forces have struck an agreement which they claimed would make it easier to co-ordinate the journey of abnormal loads across the east and south east.

Hauliers moving large consignments - such as components for wind turbines - have to do so with police approval.

Essex Police said the deal had effectively removed borders between seven forces, and London.

Sgt Jason Dearsley of the abnormal load officers group, said he hoped it provided a "clearly defined system".

The agreement is between the Met Police and forces in Essex, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Kent, and took effect on Monday.

Hauliers are now prevented from moving abnormal loads between 07:00 and 09:00 and between 16:00 and 18:00 on weekdays, to avoid disrupting peak traffic.

Restrictions at the weekend and the Met Police arrangements are unchanged, Essex Police added.