ESSEX Police have taken part in a multi-agency, multi-force operation to crackdown on the transportation of dangerous goods.

The M11 at Harlow was one of the areas targeted to ensure “risky behaviour” does not lead to fatalities.

Between May 7 and 10, Essex Police’s CVU joined forces with the commercial vehicle units from Norfolk Police and Suffolk Police as well as the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.

Over the four days, a total of 86 vehicles were checked - 60 HGVs, 24 LGVs and two cars.

Out of 41 vehicles used in the carriage of dangerous goods, 20 had no issues but four drivers were issued penalty notices, 16 were given warnings or advice, and one incident required further enquiries regarding their radioactive shipment.

‘Operation Chemical’ also covered commercial vehicles were stopped for a variety of offences including 12 for being overweight, eight for insecure loads, and for eight drivers who were not wearing seatbelts.

Epping Forest Guardian: Network - The M11 near Harlow, shown, was part of the operation as well as the Thetford (A11), Suffolk to Bury St Edmunds (A14), and Cambridgeshire to Sawtry (A1(M)) Network - The M11 near Harlow, shown, was part of the operation as well as the Thetford (A11), Suffolk to Bury St Edmunds (A14), and Cambridgeshire to Sawtry (A1(M)) (Image: Google Maps)

A lorry driver was convicted this year after the lorry shed its load of “dangerous” nitrogen gas cannisters on the roundabout connecting Beeleigh Link and Chelmer Road in Chelmsford, in July 2023.

Officers reviewing the scene found that only a single ratchet strap had been used to secure the metal frame with nothing else to secure the cannisters.

Essex’s Sergeant Jason Dearsley, Vice Chair of the National Carriage of Dangerous Goods Practitioners Forum, said: “It was very fortunate that this incident did not result in the death of a road user or pedestrian on the footpath.

PS Dearsley added : “We are fully committed to Vision Zero, our ambition to have no road deaths, as sadly, one road death is one too many.

"This was totally avoidable, and I am thankful that I did not have to make that long walk up to a family’s door and deliver tragic news that changes lives forever.

In the 12 months to April 2023, Essex Police’s CVU stopped 1,765 vehicles, of which 1359 were HGVs, arrested 37 people, and seized 54 vehicles.

While there are five deaths per day on UK roads and one serious collision every 16 minutes.