Routes

A designated route is a route between member sites on which the Department permits the movement of people and goods. Routes are designated by order of the Transport Department of the Velocity Interoperability Network and are assigned to one of the four classes below. The class of a route determines which traffic may use it, the limits on speed, weight and hours that apply, how often it is inspected and whether scheduled passenger services run on it.

Class A: Trunk routes

Principal routes linking the main sites of member organisations. Open at all times to permitted traffic of every kind and maintained to the highest standard. Three trunk routes extending to 146 kilometres were designated on establishment.

Class B: Regional routes

Routes connecting a member's secondary sites to the nearest trunk route. Open to passenger and general goods traffic; heavy or hazardous goods require a route-specific endorsement. Three regional routes extending to 85 kilometres were designated on establishment.

Class C: Service routes

Short routes serving depots, exchange points and maintenance facilities. Open to goods traffic holding a valid permit; passenger traffic is not carried. Two service routes serve the central goods exchange and the Health supply depot.

Class D: Restricted routes

Routes designated for a single member or purpose, including those serving Defence and Emergency Services sites. Open only to traffic named on the designating order. No public timetable is published for restricted routes.

How a route is designated. A member organisation, or the Department on its own initiative, proposes that a route be designated and assigned to a class. The Department surveys the route, consults every member whose sites it would serve and any member whose existing route it would join, and fixes the class according to the traffic expected and the standard to which the route can be maintained. The designating order names the route, its ends, its class and, for a Class D route, the traffic permitted on it. Route numbers are allocated in sequence within each class and are permanent.

The routes designated to date are listed in the schedule of routes, and the services and goods paths that run on them on the Timetables page. The limits that apply to each class are set out on the Conditions of traffic page, and the inspection standards and planned works on the Maintenance and closures page. Traffic carrying goods or passengers for hire on any designated route must hold a transport permit. Enquiries about the designation of a route, or a request that a route be designated, may be sent to contact@transport.gov.vin.