Abnormal load hauliers welcome latest concessions

The SA abnormal road transport industry has achieved some success along the path towards unlimited heavy haulage – with the latest draft of the department of transport’s guidelines on the abnormal sector offering certain of the allowances it has been requesting. While the deadline day for the publication of the revised document on the guidelines for the movement of abnormal loads in SA was October 1, during its travels through the department the abnormal road haulage industry was left in doubt about whether the matter of easing restrictions on transport over weekends, public holidays and at night was part of the new guidelines. But, according to Sampie Swanepoel, MD of Transvaal Heavy Transport and head of the Road Freight Association (RFA) abnormal loads division, the latest policy was revealed at the industrial stakeholders’ meeting with the DoT on December 2. “In general,” he said, “the document was very good and we must congratulate the DoT on their positive views. “Also certain allowances have been made – and we’re 50% of the way towards where we want to be.” The night time restrictions haven’t been amended, Swanepoel told FTW. “But they have accommodated us on weekends and public holidays – with specific loads on specific routes”. To achieve this, the DoT is busy categorising routes into A, B, C and D grades, with abnormal traffic to be allowed to travel on certain of these grades. They have also put the same dimension restrictions on loads that were allowed in the weekend travelling pilot project in Kwa Zulu Natal (KZN) – permitting loads 3.3-metres wide and 4.6-m high, with normal links on the vehicle, according to Swanepoel, and a normal allowable weight.The department has also split the original document into two, he told FTW, with one giving the permitted vehicle dimensions and mass, and the other being the guidelines for the granting of permits for abnormal loads. One is a listing of the limitations, and the other the working document. The abnormal road transport industry also has a vital role in the proceedings, according to Swanepoel. “It’s all in our hands as well,” he told FTW. “We’ve got to play the game by the rules, and make sure we co-operate. “That will stand us in good stead in future requests for further extensions. “The department is also looking at self-accreditation in our industry, but that’s still to come.” There are still a few issues that need to be sorted out with the department, Swanepoel added. “But we are working on those at the moment.” He expects the kick-off date for the new guidelines to be about the end of March.