Weight of vehicles on private rd? - How can i test driveway for max weight

[Haradan]

Hi experts,

I need to find out the maximum weight for vehicles that can go over my driveway. Farmer has right of way and using increasingly huge lorries and now wants to send 40 ton HGVs down ( 100+ Journeys in an approx 6 week period) . I want to impose a weight limit stopping this. Quote I've been given for finding out is £10,000. Is there a cheaper way? I don't need to know what needs to be done to bring it up to standard to bear those weights I just need enough to say "No More" . Is expert advice available based on history of road and photos etc . I've found out about a CBR test which would be affordable as about £500-£1000 but the firms who do this can't themselves then interpret these results into acceptable max vehicle weight and without that it's not much help. Bottom line is if it goes to court for an injunction I need something from an expert that will back up my position. I have history of drive going back to 1950s.

Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[Dave_L]

I would have thought a core test from one of the reputable companies to discover the actual road construction would give you a good starting point.

[Haradan]

Thanks for the reply Dave...is that the CBR test ?

Thanks

[Noony]

He might have a right of way, but i know of an electrician who was stopped by his local authority from using his own driveway and outbuildings for the use of his few vans... nothing that out of the ordinary that he was doing either.

good luck

[Dave_L]

A CBR test will only indicate the strength of the sub-grade that the pavement is built upon - but I think it would be more useful to determine what the present road construction is beforehand, hence my suggestion of a core test sample.

[Dave_L]

More info linked below

CBR Testing

Core Testing



Edited By Dave_L on 1404648208

[Haradan]

Thanks Dave, will read those links now and see if I can understand..

Appreciate the help....I know nothing about these things but am trying to learn.....quickly!

[Haradan]

Dave,

I don't suppose your company does core testing does it?

Thanks

[Dave_L]

Nope, sorry, far too specialist an activity for us.

[Haradan]

Thanks Dave..shame about that...do you know of any firms that do it...I'm struggling to find one...must be a rare beast! If you do know of any and can point me in the right direction that would be great. At some point we 'll have to get the 400m drive resurfaced, but we want it resurfaced to. 1991 standard which effectively was same as 1950s strengthwise with tarmac 'topping' , no digging up and strengthening according to history of owners. But pointless getting it all nicely tarmaced now and suitable for residential traffic and reasonable farm vehicles if we cant stop the 40 ton HGV's
I'll keep googling...see what turns up

Again, thanks for your advice

[bobbi o]

The department of transport, specification for highways, wont i'm sure, be applicable in your case, as its a private road.

It wouldn't be up too standard anyway as 90% of the uk roads weren't designed for the traffic weight or volume they currently take.

Legally, I believe, as long as the farmer makes good any damage he causes to the roadway during construction works, all is good.

[lutonlagerlout]

we did some yard work for our skip fella a few years back and the spec for heavy vehicle with lots of movements was 300mm of concrete on 300mm subbase
I cant see your road being anything like that

it sounds like you are going to either

A. have a chat with the farmer and try to sort it out amicably

B. go the legal route £££

LLL

[TheRockConcreting]

If it's a concrete road then as a rule of thumb I go by the following -

Assuming there is a sound sub base

100mm concrete can handle a 3 ton axle
125mm 4.5 ton
150mm 6.75
175mm 10 (HGV)
200mm 15

Also if the road has a 300mm shoulder, the road should last 50% longer.

[GB_Groundworks]

What's the wording in the deeds, if he and his agents have a right of access then there not much you can do, and some (not road legal) tractor trailer combination can be heavier and far harder on roads than a 6 axles HGV set up.

What's the situation and why do you want to stop him? Isn't he just running his business?

If he's got planning consent and a right of access in his deeds to run his business etc from the farm then going down the road of saying the roads not upto it might find you liable to making sure the road is up to standard.

The only way to limit the weight would be a bridge etc with a weight loading but again most specify except for access....



Edited By GB_Groundworks on 1404716073

[ringi]

One option is to see if he will agree to pay for any damage he does