Welcome to the Heavy Transport Association
The Heavy Transport Association (HTA) is the only specialist Trade Association for the heavy/abnormal load industry. Members include abnormal load hauliers, truck/trailer manufacturers, route surveyors, permit agents, consultants, abnormal load escorters, ferry owners, infrastructure owners/managers, equipment manufacturers and abnormal load officers. HTA members are consequently a highly specialist group of operators with very different needs over other sectors of the transportation industry. New members are always welcome. For more information on membership, please visit our join page.
The Association was originally formed in 1983 and its operator members specialise in the movement of abnormal loads. HTA Members meet at quarterly General Meetings. Due to geographic spread of membership, meeting venues generally alternate between the North of England and the South Midlands. The HTA is a member of ESTA (The European Association of Abnormal Road Transport and Mobile Cranes) and has held the Presidency for 3 years.
The Heavy Transport Association website provides news and information that affect the sector as well as 24hr online access to current and archived information. Much of the HTA site content is private to Members of the HTA and require a member login in order to access. The HTA welcomes eligible new members; to apply
to become a member of the HTA, please visit our join page.
The HTA was initiated by a group of heavy haulage operators struggling to cope with less than clear regulations regarding the movement of abnormal loads. It seemed apparent that enforcement authorities/police officers were not happy to have abnormal loads on the roads, and so the operators decided that something had to be done. Initial meetings were informal and then as news of the meetings spread, more and more operators wanted to attend. This was back in 1983.
The objectives of the HTA initially focused heavily on issues relating to STGO and Special Order movements. Recently the focus is on promoting the professional and trade interests of escort drivers. Members of the HTA actively participate in meetings and workshops organised by Highways England and the HTA is regularly consulted by HE when guidance is formulated on abnormal load movements and self-escorting.
The objectives of the Association were, and remain to date, to promote the professional and trade interests of all its members.
Feel free to browse our 30 year anniversary Yearbook.