asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware of problems caused by the movement of juggernaut traffic through built-up areas of the city of Dublin: if he has any proposals to introduce road by-laws whereby certain streets and roads would be restricted to such heavy trucks; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Juggernaut Traffic.
35.
I am aware that problems may be caused by the operation of heavy vehicles on certain roads in Dublin and elsewhere. The Road Traffic Acts provide for the control and regulation of the movement of any class of vehicle in pursuance of by-laws made by the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána, in consultation with the local authority concerned.
The prohibition of heavy vehicles on a particular road implies that a suitable alternative route must be available for diverted vehicles. The Transport Consultative Commission, in their recent report to the Minister for Transport, considered the question of designing special routes for commercial vehicles but concluded that the existing road network did not offer adequate alternative routes through or around the city. This is a matter with which it is envisaged that the Dublin Transportation Authority, when established, will be specifically concerned.
Would the Minister not agree that, as it appears that it will be a very long time before anything can be done about providing the type of roads about which the Minister is talking, it would be a good idea if some effort was made by the Garda authorities or by the Minister's own Department by appointing a special type of warden to try to keep the traffic flowing and not allow what is happening in this city so often, even outside peak hours, where heavy vehicles drive into narrow streets and just block the whole street for hours? Surely something can be done about that, without spending millions on new roads?
It is a matter for the Garda authorities to deal with this type of traffic congestion in the first instance. Anything which my Department can do to help in any matter which is brought to our attention we shall gladly do.
Would the Minister not agree that that is not a very fair answer?
No, it is not.
Does it mean that if I go out now and get into a traffic jam, I should leave my car there and come back and report to the Minister's Department? The areas where this congestion is happening are very well known to the Department and the least they might do is make an effort to try to get some type of force which they know will clear those daily traffic jams.
These are not simple questions and I know that the answers are not satisfactory, but those are the only answers that I can give.
That is a poor reflection on the Department, which I thought could do better than that.