- Reduce the cost of escorts required by using local services, thus minimising the mobilisation costs.
- ensure that the escort you are travelling with understands the requirements & Safety aspects of the job. 
- Know that your escort meets standards recognised by the police so you do not risk being stopped and fined for inappropriate escort.                                                     

- Carry essential equipment and clothing for effective escorting and in order to cope with situations and emergencies.
- Adhere to the HA Code of Practice for abnormal loads as well as Road Traffic and Health and Safety legislation.
- Have purpose retrofitted vehicles which are highly visible with reflective surfaces and lighting + obligatory communications equipment, roadside safety and job specific reference information. 
- Are competent, suitably trained and/or experienced drivers      

Formed in Dec 2003 the ALEN Network is committed to bridging the gap that the withdrawal of Police escorting services has left in the Haulage Industry.

Gone are the days of waiting impatiently on county borders for the police to come and escort you through their district. In a new incentive to reduce the number of police officers doing non crime related work the abnormal loads departments of most constabularies are being drastically downsized (sometimes effectively scrapped) freeing up more police time for other matters. 

For many Constabularies there will still be an escort service available but at a charge much greater than a private/non police escort, which will now be permitted.

But where does that leave the haulier trying to move these loads. One may think from the outset that self escorting or contracting out would be the saviour of the industry, cutting down journey times considerably as no changeover would be required, which to some extent it has, those companies using their own or other trained reputable escorts will be set to do well from the transition. But for the large majority of firms who have relied heavily on the police for abnormal load services the situation has become a veritable minefield.

A haulier finding out that the police no longer provide this as a free service may be tempted, especially if short notice, to produce their own makeshift escort vehicle, this can be both dangerous in terms of inexperience, insecure fittings and inappropriate/lack of necessary equipment/markings on the vehicle, this is illegal If the criterion of escorting is not adhered to. ALEN is attempting to bridge the gap between these hauliers and the escort vehicles service as these risks do not need to be taken.

There is also the problem of location, for smaller abnormal loads escorting is not required off the motorway  or the major roads, but is often required at both ends of the journey in single carriage roads, often through residential areas. If using one company to escort the journey the total length of journey would be taken on by the escort in order to do the beginning and end bits onto major roads. In this instant ALEN members can work effectively, as the Police used to, to provide a service at both ends of the journey negating the need for the escort to move out of their area.

ALEN the Abnormal Loads Escort Network is filling the holes the system has left, creating a database of safe and reliable services for the abnormal load industry combining reputable existing firms with some of the newer additions to the market all having the status of being able to meet stringent criterion to join the network, once in membership becomes part of  a self help group, contractors working together to ensure loads are taken care of, passing on work to companies in the area required thus decreasing the mobilisation costs of getting the escort to the required area. Members have the piece of mind to know that work passed on is to a company holding a similar standard of customer care and they can trust that their contractor will not be disappointed with their recommendation. This network has the potential benefit of collaborations between hauliers to move loads, for example amalgamating in order to reduce detrimental traffic effects and increase the observation of such loads by general traffic.

This also is more environmentally friendly as less petrol will be used on unnecessary trips out of the area in which the escort company is based in, freeing up more time for localised work. It also has the benefit for hauliers that have their own escort vehicle that it can be utilised and bring an extra income to the company by being contracted out during its dead time, this is especially good for companies who have a majority of normal sized loads.

Road safety is paramount in provision of escorts, all drivers must be aware of safety and courtesy aspects for all road users.

ALEN is a network of company providing escorting services to a high standard throughout the UK.