Seán Crowe
Question:126 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Transport the approximate number of so-called supercube trucks that operate in the State. [29533/04]
View answerThursday, 18 November 2004
Questions (128, 129)
Seán Crowe
Question:127 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Transport when the review of supercube trucks will commence; the expected timescale; the groups which will be invited to participate; and the approximate date of closure and publication of such a review. [29534/04]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 127 together.
The term "supercube truck" is not an official vehicle classification. It is used by the industry to describe certain non-standard height vehicles. There are no official statistics on the number of supercube trucks registered in the State. Two separate surveys of heavy goods vehicles using Dublin Port, which were conducted by the Dublin Port Company and the National Institute of Transport Logistics, found that 4,625 of the 838,580 vehicles which were surveyed, or 0.67% of the total, exceeded 4.65 metres.
The policy considerations to be taken into account when determining public policy on vehicle height do not relate just to the potential effect of regulation on supercube vehicles. They are more extensive and relate to road safety, rail safety, environment, quality of life, protection of expensive infrastructure and the need for certainty in planning for future investment in road, bridge and railway infrastructure. The review of public policy in this area is concerned with the use of vehicles which exceed 4.6 metres in height, regardless of whether they are supercubes.
As I indicated in my response to Questions Nos. 126, 132, 144, 163 and 178 of 2 November 2004, I intend to publish a consultative paper on the matter of a vehicle height limit. The paper will be published as soon as it has been translated into Irish, which I expect will be completed early next month. I am anxious that the consultative process will be as broad as possible. It will involve the general public, as well as the principal interests directly involved in the matter. The paper, which will be available on the website of the Department of Transport, will be circulated to the principal interests involved, such as the National Roads Authority, Irish Rail and the Irish Road Haulage Association. Approximately three weeks, until 31 December 2004, will be provided for the making of comments or suggestions by interested parties and the public on the consultative paper. After I have considered the responses I intend to announce early in the new year how I propose to proceed with this matter.