asked the Minister for the Environment if he has any plans to increase the legal weight limit being carried by trucks in our jurisdiction; if his attention has been drawn to proposals to allow 40 ton trucks use routes in EC countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Legal Weight Limit.
194.
Council Directive 85/3/EEC of 19/12/1984 lays down a gross vehicle weight limit of 40t for five and six axle combined vehicles — articulated trucks and road trains — circulating internationally. The corresponding Irish national limit is 38t. Under a special EC derogation, Ireland and the UK have until 31 December 1998 to introduce the 40t limit. The derogation period is designed to allow roads infrastructure — notably bridges — to be strengthened to carry heavier lorries. Ireland and the UK are committed to use their best endeavours to introduce the 40t limit in advance of 1998.
As an interim measure, I propose to make regulations, in the first half of 1990, increasing the maximum gross vehicle weight of five and six axle combined vehicles from 38t to 40t — with the exception of five axle articulated trucks with three axle semi-trailers incorporating steel suspension. The latter category of lorry is particularly damaging to bridges. The Government's policy in relation to the implementation of EC lorry weight limits is set out in paragraph 3.24 of the Operational Programme Ireland — Road Development 1989-1993 (PL 6482) submitted to the EC Commission, in March 1989, in connection with Ireland's application for assistance from EC Structural Funds. A copy of the Operational Programme is in the Oireachtas Library.