Blog
Improved information on transporting horses in horseboxes and trailers
It’s important when you’re transporting horses, that you know what you can and cannot do. Horses are important animals and worth a considerable amount so you will want to do the best for them.
We’ve reformatted and updated the horsebox guidance into a series of webpages, rather than the old PDF version.
It will be easier to search for and quickly access the information you need, instead of scrolling through multiple pages.
Many horseboxes are only used during the warmer months and can lie, unused, for a considerable amount of time.
This means they can develop defects, so don’t forget to have your horsebox or trailer inspected by a qualified mechanic before using it. This is particularly important before the annual test (MOT) for bigger horseboxes to make sure they are in a roadworthy condition to pass and safe to be taken out on the road.
You should also carry out walkaround checks on your vehicle before you take it out. This will help you spot any potential problems before they become major issues threatening the wellbeing of your horse.
You can also get a free safety check from the National Trailer and Towing Association.
Read ‘Transporting horses in horseboxes and trailers’
Read MoreNational Highways Information to help you stay safe and feel confident
National Highways has launched a ‘Driving on motorways’ hub that’s packed full of useful guidance and information to help you feel more confident when driving on motorways.
It’s National Highways’ role to help keep people safe on our roads. They also want people to be safe and feel confident when they travel. There are many ways they are doing this, including providing help and guidance to drivers about the roads they look after.
What sort of information is on the hub?
The hub includes a film National Highways has produced which features Suzi Perry and Ortis Deley from the ‘Gadget Show’.
The film explains how the individual elements of an all-lane running smart motorway work together to maintain safety and reduce congestion. You’ll also find shorter films covering things like live lane breakdowns, red X signs and variable speed limits.
Future changes
We want to make the hub as useful as possible and we’ll be adding more information over the coming months.
For more information
Visit our ’Driving on Motorways’ hub and watch our film.
Read MoreDeclare before you travel – EU driver posting declarations now required for some journeys in Europe
New EU rules introduced on 2 February mean information on some loaded goods journeys in and between European Member States now need to be registered on a new EU web-based portal before you set off.
If you’re transporting goods between 2 points in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway for commercial purposes (known as cabotage or cross trade), you’ll need to make a “posting declaration”, which means registering the operator, driver, driver employment details, dates of travel, and the vehicle used.
This could be using HGVs, vans or other light goods vehicles of any size, or cars, whether or not you’re towing a trailer. It will apply if you’re moving the goods for hire or reward, or for your own business’ use.
The information you need to sign up and start declaring is available on GOV.UK.
Or, you can access the EU Portal and FAQs now.
Reminder – apply to be a temporary transport manager if you’re running vans to Europe
From 21 May 2022, new EU rules will mean operators or users of vans or other light goods vehicles over 2.5 tonnes and up to 3.5 tonnes in weight that transport goods from the UK into, or through the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein for hire or reward will also need to obtain an International Operators’ Licence.
This will include a requirement to appoint a designated transport manager, so you need to get ready now.
You can use the service on GOV.UK to apply to be recognised as a temporary transport manager if by 20 August 2020, you have had 10 years’ or more experience of managing fleets of vehicles.
Read More
The Highway Code: update to rules on using mobile phones
From 25 March, rules in The Highway Code are coming into force to make any hand-held use of a mobile phone while driving illegal, except in limited circumstances.
The changes were supported by 80% of respondents in a public consultation in 2021.
This means you must not use a device in your hand for any reason, whether online or offline. The law applies to you if you’re:
- supervising a learner driver
- stopped at traffic lights
- queuing in traffic
- driving a car that turns the engine off when you stop moving
- holding and using a device that’s offline or in flight mode
There are exceptions, such as if you need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency or making a contactless payment in a vehicle that is not moving.
You can find the full rules on using a phone, sat nav or another device when driving on GOV.UK
The government’s award-winning THINK! team will launch an awareness campaign today to remind drivers not to use a hand-held phone at the wheel and the penalties of choosing to ignore this new law.
Why staying up to date is important
It’s important that everyone – not just learner drivers – understand their responsibility for the safety of other road users.
Many of the rules in the code are legal requirements, and if you disobey these rules you’re committing a criminal offence.
If you do not follow the other rules in the code, it can be used in evidence in court proceedings to establish liability.
How to stay up to date
The full version of The Highway Code is available, free of charge, on GOV.UK.
Read MoreM5 junction 6 to junction 7 safety barrier replacement letter to stakeholders
M5 junction 6 to junction 7 safety barrier replacement
I’m writing to inform you of some upcoming maintenance work on the M5, near Worcester. This work will be carried out on our behalf by our contractor, Carnell.
What we’re doing and why? We’ll be replacing the safety barrier, alternatively known as the ‘vehicle restraint system’, on the M5 between junction 6 and junction 7.
We’ll remove the existing steel barrier in the central reserve, which will then be replaced with a new concrete barrier. This will ensure we continue to provide a safer road to all road users. Our work will also include lighting and drainage improvements.
When will this work take place?
Our work will start on 21 February 2022, and this should complete by Spring 2023. This will include a combination of day time and night time working. To reduce disruption to customers, most of our work will be carried out under narrow lanes which will ensure the M5 remains open. For added safety, a 50mph speed limit will be in place, along with speed enforcement and free recovery. This has been designed to protect both the road user and workforce on site. To install the narrow lanes, we’ll need a number of overnight closures between junction 5 and junction 8.
These will be in place as follows;
M5 northbound, junction 7 entry and exit slip closed overnight on 21 February, 22 February and 23 February, 8pm to 6am.
M5 northbound, junction 6 entry and exit slip closed overnight on 24 February, 25 February, 26 February and 27 February, 8pm to 6am.
M5 northbound, junction 8 to junction 5 closed overnight on 5 March and 6 March, 8pm to 6am.
M5 southbound, junction 6 entry and exit slip closed overnight on 28 February, 1 March, 2 March, 3 March and 4 March, 8pm to 6am.
M5 southbound, junction 7 entry and exit slip closed overnight on 7 March and 8 March, 8pm to 6am.
M5 southbound, junction 5 to junction 8 closed overnight on 12 March and 13 March, 8pm to 6am.
Declare before you travel – EU driver posting declarations now required for some journeys in Europe
New EU rules introduced on 2 February mean information on some loaded goods journeys in and between European Member States now need to be registered on a new EU web-based portal before you set off.
If you’re transporting goods between 2 points in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway for commercial purposes (known as cabotage or cross trade), you’ll need to make a “posting declaration”, which means registering the operator, driver, driver employment details, dates of travel, and the vehicle used.
This could be using HGVs, vans or other light goods vehicles of any size, or cars, whether or not you’re towing a trailer. It will apply if you’re moving the goods for hire or reward, or for your own business’ use.
The information you need to sign up and start declaring is available on GOV.UK.
Or, you can access the EU Portal and FAQs now.
Reminder – apply to be a temporary transport manager if you’re running vans to Europe
From 21 May 2022, new EU rules will mean operators or users of vans or other light goods vehicles over 2.5 tonnes and up to 3.5 tonnes in weight that transport goods from the UK into, or through the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein for hire or reward will also need to obtain an International Operators’ Licence.
This will include a requirement to appoint a designated transport manager, so you need to get ready now.
You can use the service on GOV.UK to apply to be recognised as a temporary transport manager if by 20 August 2020, you have had 10 years’ or more experience of managing fleets of vehicles.
Read MoreImproved information on transporting horses in horseboxes and trailers
It’s important when you’re transporting horses, that you know what you can and cannot do. Horses are important animals and worth a considerable amount so you will want to do the best for them.
We’ve reformatted and updated the horsebox guidance into a series of webpages, rather than the old PDF version.
It will be easier to search for and quickly access the information you need, instead of scrolling through multiple pages.
Many horseboxes are only used during the warmer months and can lie, unused, for a considerable amount of time.
This means they can develop defects, so don’t forget to have your horsebox or trailer inspected by a qualified mechanic before using it. This is particularly important before the annual test (MOT) for bigger horseboxes to make sure they are in a roadworthy condition to pass and safe to be taken out on the road.
You should also carry out walkaround checks on your vehicle before you take it out. This will help you spot any potential problems before they become major issues threatening the wellbeing of your horse.
You can also get a free safety check from the National Trailer and Towing Association.
Read MoreOPERATORS TRAVELLING TO EUROPE
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The Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain would like to draw your attention to the information shared by the Department for Transport and the DVSA yesterday.