Act now on abnormal load plans

Farmers have been advised to act now to help keep their wheels turning during the busy silage and grain harvest periods.

Speaking this week, the transport adviser to NFU Scotland, Jamie Smart, said that despite less traffic on the roads, there were no derogations during c ovid -19 for moving agricultural wide vehicles on the roads.

“So it is important that farmers wishing to move vehicles or implements over three metres combined width must obtain a dispensation from Police Scotland,” he stated.

But he also warned that, like all businesses, the abnormal loads office at Police Scotland were having to practice social distancing – which could slow down applications.

“It is therefore recommended that farmers requiring a dispensation or renewal apply in plenty of time preferably six weeks before it is required or the previous one expires.

“A copy of the dispensation document should be carried in vehicles pertaining to it and produced in the event the vehicle is stopped by Police Scotland,” said Smart who thanked Police Scotland for their continued support of the scheme.

● Abnormal load dispensations are required if a vehicle and implement is over three metres in width and/or projects more than four metres. The union said that farmers and contractors should check the dimensions of their vehicles and any attached implement and any combination which exceeded these dimensions should be included on the dispensation application.

The union added the application was simple and free of charge.