Loading & Unloading

40 minute unloading/loading time for HGVs trial commences

Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) have 40 minutes continuous loading time on single and double yellow lines between 11am and 6.30pm (where permitted) under a six-month trial which started on 7 January 2008.

The outcomes of the trial are currently being evaluated with the review due to be completed by September 2008.  In the meantime, the trial conditions continue to stand - see below for more details. 

Conditions of the Trial

The trial only applies to delivery vehicles whose maximum laden weight exceeds 3.5 tonnes.

The intention of the trial is to give businesses more flexibility when determining delivery times and routes and, as a consequence, reduce the amount of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued to HGVs.

The technical definition of an HGV is a 'mechanically propelled vehicle that is:

• of a construction primarily suited for the carriage of goods or burden of any kind; and
  
• designed or adapted to have a maximum weight exceeding 3,500 kilograms when in normal use and travelling on a road laden.'

There will be no change to the 20 minute unloading/loading allowance on single and yellow lines between 11am and 6.30pm for delivery vehicles whose maximum laden weight is less than 3.5 tonnes.

All delivery vehicles will be able to continually load and unload for an unlimited time between 6.30pm and 11am.

We have worked closely with delivery firms and residents to identify issues associated with unloading/loading, and to develop solutions. This has included customer focus groups, regular discussions at area forums and the Commercial Delivery Group, and accompanying vehicles on their delivery runs. 

The trial has not been extended to all delivery vehicles due to traffic flow and other considerations.