Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2016
765. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if in his new role as Minister he intends to revisit the decision to remove the derogation of 42-tonne weight for five-axle vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21082/16]
View answerThe derogation permitting a maximum weight laden limit of 42 tonnes for 5 axle (2 axle tractor unit towing a 3 axle semi-trailer) articulated vehicles expired on 30 June last.
Under the Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 5 of 2003), the upper weight limit for these vehicles was set at 40 tonnes with a derogation, which was incorporated in those Regulations, to permit such vehicles to continue to operate up to 42 tonnes until the end of 2008. Since 2008 the derogation was extended seven times affording the industry an extensive period of time to adapt to its eventual ending.
The original motive behind granting this derogation was to allow the haulage industry time, from 2003 onwards, to renew their then existing fleet of 2 axle tractor units with more road friendly 3 axle ones. This was aimed at securing a significant decrease in road and bridge infrastructure damage caused by such vehicles and to thereby reduce the costs to the public finances in terms of maintaining and repairing vital road and bridge infrastructure.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I must have regard to the overarching need to maintain national transport infrastructure in as cost effective manner as possible. It is primarily for this reason, as well as the time given to the industry to adjust, that the previously existing derogation has not been renewed. I have no proposals to revisit this decision.
