Question for the BiB re trailer towing

[zulu 10]

I'm sure that this is defined somewhere (no it's not in HWC) but perhaps one of you Traf Pol BiB could please answer the following relating to towing.
Background info (not sure how relevent):
Tow car: LR Discovery 2100kg
Trailer: Twin axle MGW 1100kg fitted with over-run brakes

I know that the max permissable speed on a motorway is 60mph and that I am not permitted to use Lane 3 on a three lane motorway, but on M4 around Cardiff /Newport the motorway varies between:
(a) 3 lanes
(b) 2 lanes
(c) 3 lanes with 2 lanes delineated by a thick dotted line e.g. where the off ramp traffic is being separated for a mile before the junction.

My question is simply under conditions (b) and (c) above am I permitted to use Lane 2?

....and before anyone asks: No I wasn't stopped but yesterday afternoon I spent a lot of time crawling along behind lorries when if I'd felt sure I would be legal in Lane 2 I'd have got past.

Thanks in advance.

[Dwight VanDriver]

Obviously Zulu 10 you are a man of taste in driving a Disco and not a sardine tin that goes wvoom with the seat of ones Rs inches from the road surface. Such owners never have piles? (Note FiF no 4x4 rants here).

Reg 12 Motorways Traffic (England and Wales)Regs 1982
states that A MOTOR VEHICLE TOWING A TRAILER (no weights mentioned) shall be driven on the right hand or offside lane of a length of carriageway (Motorways only)which has THREE OR MORE TRAFFIC LANES at any place where all the lanes are open for use by traffic proceeding in the same direction. Does not apply however in order to overtake a wide load or to avoid an accident.

So 4 lane Mway use 3
3 lane Mway use 2
2 lane use both.

DVD

[nighthawk]

while we wait for a TRAFPOL to answer, can I tag on another 'q' regarding the same vehicle set up?

Disco + trailer with train weight exceeding 3000kgs, trailer being used for commercial use.

does the above require a tachograph?

[Dwight VanDriver]

I seem to recall in my 30 years as an ex black rat with white top the magical weight in such cases Nighthawk was MPW/MTW 3500 k?

DVD

[gone]

Dwight VanDriver said:

I seem to recall in my 30 years as an ex black rat with white top the magical weight in such cases Nighthawk was MPW/MTW 3500 k? DVD

[gone]

Dwight VanDriver said:

Obviously Zulu 10 you are a man of taste in driving a Disco and not a sardine tin that goes wvoom with the seat of ones Rs inches from the road surface. Such owners never have piles? (Note FiF no 4x4 rants here). Reg 12 Motorways Traffic (England and Wales)Regs 1982 states that A MOTOR VEHICLE TOWING A TRAILER (no weights mentioned) shall be driven on the right hand or offside lane of a length of carriageway (Motorways only)which has THREE OR MORE TRAFFIC LANES at any place where all the lanes are open for use by traffic proceeding in the same direction. Does not apply however in order to overtake a wide load or to avoid an accident. So 4 lane Mway use 3 3 lane Mway use 2 2 lane use both. DVD

[streaky]

Dwight VanDriver said:

Reg 12 Motorways Traffic (England and Wales)Regs 1982 states that A MOTOR VEHICLE TOWING A TRAILER (no weights mentioned) shall be driven on the right hand or offside lane of a length of carriageway (Motorways only)which has THREE OR MORE TRAFFIC LANES at any place where all the lanes are open for use by traffic proceeding in the same direction.

Therefore, in scenario (c) - 3 lanes with 2 lanes delineated by a thick dotted line e.g. where the off ramp traffic is being separated for a mile before the junction, a motor vehicle towing a trailer is limited to lane 2. What of the situation where the inside (lane 1) is delimited by an unbroken white line? The definition above appears to indicate that a motor vehicle towing a trailer is restricted to lane 2, even though lane 1 is closed to it (by virtue of the unbroken white line). Comments?

Streaky

Edited to correct the effects of a stuttering keyboard.

>> Edited by streaky on Wednesday 2nd June 09:13

[Zulu 10]

Thanks chaps.
It should have occurred to me when typing my original posting to add that the trailer is used for a carrying a Hillclimb/Sprint Westfield around. Hopefully that will defuse the 'chelsea tractor' type banter about needlessly driving a 4x4..... and yes I know that people tow Westies around with much smaller tow cars..... and no, I'm getting into arguing the relative merits.

BTW It's recreational use only so the tachograph issue shouldn't arise.....

[Flat in Fifth]

Dwight VanDriver said:

(Note FiF no 4x4 rants here).

Naturally so, obi-wan.

However I fear the anti 4x4 dark forces are gathering within the orbit of the planet ruled by Red Ken.

We miserable exiles battling the forces of darkness are indeed grateful for the pity shown by those fortunate to live in God's own country.

[BlackStuff]

streaky said:

Dwight VanDriver said: Reg 12 Motorways Traffic (England and Wales)Regs 1982 states that A MOTOR VEHICLE TOWING A TRAILER (no weights mentioned) shall be driven on the right hand or offside lane of a length of carriageway (Motorways only)which has THREE OR MORE TRAFFIC LANES at any place where all the lanes are open for use by traffic proceeding in the same direction. Therefore, in scenario (c) - 3 lanes with 2 lanes delineated by a thick dotted line e.g. where the off ramp traffic is being separated for a mile before the junction, a motor vehicle towing a trailer is limited to lane 2. What of the situation where the inside (lane 1) is delimited by an unbroken white line? The definition above appears to indicate that a motor vehicle towing a trailer is restricted to lane 2, even though lane 1 is closed to it (by virtue of the unbroken white line). Comments? Streaky

Agree with streaky - when L1 "peels off" (ie line becomes unbroken and you may no longer legally cross to it) then there are in effect only 2 lanes so you may use either.

The one to take great care over in this situation is that you don't then find yourself boxed into the outside lane at the other side of the junction when a new L1 reattaches itself, putting you into L3 "by default" as it were...