The Abnormal Loads Group (ALG) has welcomed engagement by police forces to tackle the inconsistent service being provided to hauliers across the country, after research found it was costing more than half a billion pounds a year.

The group – spearheaded by the RHA and including a number of trade bodies, stakeholders and operators – said it was working closely with the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) to update guidance for officers.

The ALG said it had provided evidence that some forces’ operational decisions had added unnecessary costs, delays and uncertainty to abnormal loads movements, with the knock-on effects these have for other sectors and the wider economy.

Firms reported that police forces had become much less flexible regarding the changing of dates for approvals and much less willing to accept short notice movements.

Problem constabularies included Greater Manchester, Humberside, East Anglia, Merseyside and Cheshire.

An independent economic impact assessment concluded that the problems to haulage firms were costing the economy £584m a year.

Richard Smith, RHA MD, said: “We are in regular dialogue with the NPCC on their progress to improve consistency and we’d like to thank Chief Superintendent Marc Clothier for acknowledging the issues hauliers and others face, and the critical role they have supporting communities and driving economic growth.

“We will continue to collaborate with the NPCC and will feedback to ongoing reviews of the operational picture for businesses who move or rely on abnormal loads.

“We’re pleased that individual forces are engaging with the ALG on specific operational issues – we will continue to work with them on improving consistency.”