L Lynch plant hire fined £80,000 over abnormal load notification

The Hertfordshire-based national plant hire firm has been convicted of three separate offences related to transporting a tracked excavator and associated plant equipment  without submitting the correct movement notification.

According to West Midlands Police, officers stopped a heavy goods vehicle transporting the excavator in March 2024 during a Multi Agency Road Safety Operation (MARSO) at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC).

They found that although Lynch had submitted abnormal load notifications to the correct authorities for the delivery, the HGV used was travelling on a different axle than the police had been told about, invalidating the paperwork. The HGV was also found to be significantly overweight, as well as longer and wider than allowed.

Because of the change from the notification, no additional safeguarding measures could be put in place to protect road users from the risks of such an oversized and heavy load.

Photo: West Midlands Police

West Midlands Police Commercial Vehicle Unit the conducted an investigation into the offence.

Last Thursday 27 March , L Lynch was convicted of three separate offences at court, fined £800,000, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £2,000 and costs of £130.

Superintendent Gareth Mason, head of roads policing for West Midlands Police, said: “Road safety is a priority for West Midlands Police and this case sends a clear message: if you breach abnormal load legislation and put the public at risk, we will take action. When firms don’t follow proper procedures, it’s not just a technicality – it’s a serious safety risk. That’s why we work closely with partner agencies to carry out targeted enforcement operations, educate industry partners, and prosecute offenders where necessary , as the consequences of getting it wrong can be catastrophic.”