Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 June 2004
295 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Transport if, in relation to the enforcement of the parking or lorries in excess of three tonnes in residential areas, whether it is possible to park the tractor unit of an articulated vehicles in such an area even if this unit is in itself over three tonnes and is parked without the trailer unit attached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16547/04]
View answerArticle 38 of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 provides that where the appropriate traffic sign is provided by a local authority, a vehicle whose unladen weight exceeds the weight specified on the information plate accompanying the sign shall not be parked in the said area. For the purposes of the regulations, a vehicle includes the drawing component of an articulated vehicle where the unladen weight of such component exceeds that specified on the information plate.
Decisions as regards the locations where such prohibitions are to be applied and the size, that is, weight, of vehicles to be banned from parking at such locations are matters for determination by the relevant local authorities. This provision can be implemented on an area basis through the provision of the appropriate signage on the main entrance roads into particular estates and the restriction applies until a traffic sign is encountered indicating the end of the prohibition. This obviates the need to provide individual signs on every estate road. Enforcement of these regulations is a matter for local authority traffic wardens and the Garda Síochána.
