Vol. 570 No. 2
467 Mr. Dennehy asked the Minister for Transport if, on occasions in which suitable alternatives are in place, trucks and heavy goods vehicles will be prevented from using town centres in the interests of public safety and alleviating traffic congestion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18831/03]
The Road (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 give local authorities the power to apply restrictions to trucks and 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 alternative routes is a matter for the road authority concerned.
