Farmers reminded over wide-load movements
FARMERS and crofters are being reminded to apply to Police Scotland for an agricultural dispensation for wide vehicle movements.
A scheme, agreed by Police Scotland and NFU Scotland in 2015, means union members with wide vehicles can apply for the dispensation to avoid having to notify police for each individual movement.
Police notification is required if a vehicle, or implement, is over three metres in width and/or projects more than four metres, for example a plough, and is travelling more than five miles, or travelling on any road with a speed limit of less than 40mph.
Farmers or contractors wanting to use this scheme can obtain an application form from Police Scotland or members can get it from NFU Scotland. The completed form should be emailed to OSDAbormalLoadsScotland@scotland.pnn.police.uk.
On receipt of this form, if deemed appropriate for a dispensation, Police Scotland will issue a dispensation letter. This will cover a full year and mean individual notifications are not required unless the width on the original application form is exceeded.
Members wishing to make a one- off movement with a wide vehicle can apply to Police Scotland for a one- off movement, providing at least 48 hours’ notice of the intended movement. Please take into consideration public holidays and weekends when applying for one- off movements as this may delay applications.
NFU Scotland members looking for more information in relation to wide vehicle movement requirements can seek advice from the free NFU Scotland helpline for transport and vehicles.
Jamie Smart, legal and technical committee chairman, who runs NFU Scotland’s ag- ricultural transport and vehicle helpline, said: ‘It is vital NFU Scotland members ensure that if they require a dispensation, they have applied for this and had it returned from Police Scotland ahead of moving vehicles.
‘The union has worked hard to put this in place for farmers and crofters over the past two years and it is of benefit to save those carrying out wide vehicle movements time and effort in applying for a dispensation.
‘The dispensation document should be carried in vehicles pertaining to it and produced in the event the vehicle is stopped by Police Scotland.’
Superintendent Fraser Candlish of Police Scotland’s road policing branch, commented: ‘Police Scotland has worked in partnership with NFU Scotland to try and ensure compliance with road traffic legislation is made simpler and easier for farmers.’