Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 7 Oct 2003

Vol. 571 No. 4

Written Answers. - Heavy Goods Vehicles.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

453 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport his plans to ban supertrucks from the streets of Dublin, when he intends to introduce that ban, the legal authority under which he can introduce that ban, if he had to make provision for a transition arrangement for transporters who may argue that they already have invested in a fleet and need time to adjust to his proposed ban, and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22290/03]

Minister of State for Transport (Dr McDaid)

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.

Equally, decisions in relation to traffic management plans are matters for the road authority concerned. I understand from Dublin City Council that a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) manage ment 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.

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 intend to issue a preliminary consultation identifying the issues involved shortly.

Question No. 454 answered with Question No. 439.