asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware of the very serious difficulties facing road hauliers in the timber industry arising from the limitation of axle weight and if he will introduce new regulations with a view to increasing the pay load of timber hauliers who will not be able to continue in operation under present regulations.
Written Answers. - Timber Hauliers.
45.
No representations on this subject have been made to my Department by, or on behalf of, road hauliers in the timber industry. I am, however, aware of the views of road hauliers generally on the question of increases in the weight limits. In 1983, regulations were made providing for a very significant increase in the maximum permissible gross vehicle weight from 32 tons to 38 tonnes (37.4 tons) for a five or six axle articulated truck or road train, subject to certain minimum spacings between the axles of the combined vehicles involved. This involved an estimated increase in pay loads of over four tonnes or about 20 per cent. In accordance with the First EEC Directive of December 1984 on the weights and dimensions of certain goods vehicles, the maximum permissible gross vehicle weight limit in Ireland will be further increased to 40 tonnes, after a transitional period required to strengthen road pavements and bridges. The length of the transitional period will be determined by the European Community by the end of February 1987.
The directive is designed to harmonise competitive conditions for road hauliers engaged in international traffic and to promote the free movement of goods vehicles throughout the EC. Also in 1983, the maximum permissible weight on the sole driving axle of a combined vehicle was increased from ten tons to 10.5 tonnes (10.3 tons). The corresponding limit for a non-driving axle was left unchanged at 10.17 tonnes (ten tons). The question of further increasing the maximum permissible driving axle limit has been under consideration at EC level for some time.
The strengthening of roads and bridges to carry heavier goods vehicles, will take up to about ten years. Provisions has been made in the 1985 road plan for extra expenditure involved. Maximum permissible gross or axle weights cannot be increased generally until the necessary road works have been carried out. It is, however, open to road hauliers wishing to carry loads in excess of the present legal limits to apply for a permit from the roads authority responsible for the roads over which the loads will be carried. Such permits may be granted under section 13 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, and may be subject to limitations, restriction and conditions, including conditions as to compensation by hauliers for damage to public roads which may arise from the use of the vehicles to which the permits relate.