Vol. 568 No. 1
608 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Transport if he intends to ban trucks of a certain height using the roads; the consultations he has engaged in regarding this subject; if the proposed height of the Dublin Port tunnel had a bearing on his comments in relation to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15356/03]
I refer to the reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 117, 169, 230 and 233 of 21 May 2003. The position is unchanged.
609 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the legal basis for banning super-trucks from residential streets; and the way in which he proposes to deal with trucks already in use which cannot use the Dublin Port tunnel. [15365/03]
The Road (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 give local authorities the power to apply restrictions to heavy goods vehicles from entering particular public roads or areas. Article 17 of these regulations provides that where the applicable traffic sign is provided at the entrance to a road, the driver of a vehicle, the unladen weight of which exceeds the weight specified on the sign, is prohibited from proceeding beyond the sign except where it is necessary for the vehicle to enter a road solely for the purpose of gaining access to or egress from premises accessible only from that road. The application of such restrictions is a matter for each local authority.
Traffic management plans drawn up by local authorities may provide for the re-routing of heavy goods vehicles away from residential areas. The preparation of a traffic management plan taking account of the availability of tunnels is a matter for the road authority concerned. In the case of the Dublin Port tunnel, for example, it is a matter for Dublin City Council. I understand from Dublin City Council that a HGV management strategy will have three objectives: to ensure the optimal use by HGVs of the port tunnel; to minimise adverse effects of remaining HGV movements in the city; and to manage the movement of vehicles not within permitted dimensions, for example through permit systems.
I understand that Dublin City Council will undertake widespread consultation before implementing any HGV management strategy. I have been informed that the current position in relation to the development of the HGV management strategy is that Dublin City Council intends to issue a preliminary consultation document identifying the issues involved in the near future.
