Weight Limits - Roads and Highways

We try to keep roads in Derbyshire open and available to all traffic if possible, but sometimes weight restrictions need to be imposed. The restrictions fall into two categories:

  • Environmental weight restrictions on highways. 
  • Weight restrictions on bridges.        

Environmental Weight Restrictions on Highways

These are usually implemented where we identify, often after complaints or petitions from the public or local councillors, routes being used by heavy goods vehicles which are not really suitable for such use, and where there is a better and equally convenient alternative.

The normal environmental weight limit is 7.5 tonnes but there are some exceptions.

Exemptions do apply for vehicles requiring legitimate access to properties/businesses within the area covered by the environmental weight limit.

If you require information regarding an existing environmental weight limit or would like to suggest a new area where an environmental weight limit might be appropriate please contact:

Weight restrictions on bridges

All major highway bridges in Derbyshire have been assessed to check that they are capable of carrying full highway loading. The majority of the bridges which failed this assessment have already been strengthened to meet the latest requirements.

The table below shows 24 bridges within Derbyshire currently subject to weight restrictions. They are owned by a number of bridge owners including us.

Eight council owned bridges have weight restrictions. These are mainly sited on minor routes, the exception being Swarkestone Causeway on the A514, where an environmental weight limit has been imposed in order to protect the structure, which is a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

If you require any information regarding the weight restriction applicable to a particular bridge please contact: 

Related documents

The following document is in Portable Document Format (PDF). You can download the PDF software for free from the Adobe website (opens in a new window)

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