Explanatory note
(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order amends the Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) General Order 1979, and is supplementary to the amendments made by the earlier amending Order S.I. 1987/1327.
The main purpose of the present amendments is to relax until the 1st October 1989 the restrictions under which heavy vehicles have to operate from 1st January 1988. Thus—
article 3 amends the definition of “abnormal indivisible load”;
article 4 inserts new sub-paragraphs (iia) and (iiia) in article 18(2)(k) of the 1979 Order to relax the restrictions that would otherwise have had effect as from 1st January 1988;
article 5 makes a consequential change to article 28(1)(a) of the 1979 Order.
In addition, sub-paragraphs (e) and (f) of article 4 exempt vehicles being used under article 18 of the 1979 Order from regulation 25 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (S.I. 1986/1078).
Sub-paragraph (f) of article 4 amends article 18(2)(q) of the 1979 Order to maintain the existing controls over the weight of locomotives. Sub-paragraph (g) amends sub-paragraphs (q) and (r) of article 18(2) so that the new requirements apply to vehicles manufactured on 1st October 1989 as well as after that date; and sub-paragraph (h) amends sub-paragraph (s) of article 18(2) so that the requirements apply to vehicles manufactured on 1st October 1988 as well as after that date.
Article 6 prevents the amendments made by the earlier 1987 Order and this Order affecting the 1979 Order as applied by specific orders made before 1st January 1988 under section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1972 (c. 20).