CEO Williams: Houses Must Be Dismantled Before Transported 

Clarification: Plett’s Home Builders was not involved in the incident referenced in this report. Images previously used were illustrative and have been removed to avoid confusion.

The Ministry of Transport has further tightened restrictions on the transport of houses and oversized loads after two fatal road accidents.

Chief Executive Officer Chester Williams said recent night time restrictions were not enough. He said that while oversized loads were already restricted to night hours, there have been “two fatal traffic accidents between those hours.”

“We had to look at the policy more in-depth and need further adjustment to the policy this morning,” he added.

Williams said permit holders have now been formally notified that houses must be dismantled before transport.

“Those persons who have permits for the haulage of oversized loads have been notified in writing as an addendum to their current permit that while they do have the permission to transport these oversized loads on the highway at nighttime, the oversized load, and in particular houses, must be disassembled, which means that it must be in parts. That way it’ll not be extending too far out from the vehicle and create more hazard to those other motorists,” Williams said.

He added that all movements must now be escorted by police or Department of Transport vehicles with revolving lights. “The revolving lights will provide adequate notice to oncoming traffic so that they will be able to make proper adjustments before approaching the vehicle carrying the oversized load,” he added.

The Department of Transport confirmed in a notice that the amendment takes effect immediately. Fully constructed houses are no longer allowed on public roads. Transport remains limited to 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. and only with official escorts.

This article was updated at 11:08 am 12/19/2015  with clarification.