A NORTHSIDE public representative has warned that a ban on
‘super trucks’, due to come into effect on Irish roads on November 1, will be
“useless
? unless it is properly enforced.
Senator Averil Power (FF) said that up until now, trucks that are too high for the Dublin Port Tunnel have been using residential roads such as Griffith Avenue to travel between Dublin Port and other parts of the city on to the M50.
“While smaller trucks are required to use the port tunnel between 7am and 7pm,
‘super trucks’ that can’t fit in the tunnel are currently allowed to use certain local roads,
? stated Senator Power.
“The ban should bring relief to local residents and road users alike.
“The large volume of
‘super trucks’ using some residential roads has had a very negative impact on local residents.
“Their quality of life has been undermined by having noisy trucks driving down their road at all hours of the day and night. They have also suffered from unacceptable levels of pollution.
?
Senator Power added:
“Having a ban in place is useless unless it is properly enforced. Dublin City Council and the local gardai must ensure that this is the case.
?
According to the Northside senator, companies using such vehicles were warned of the ban by the previous Government in 2008. This allowed them five years to remove trucks of this height from their fleet.
James Traynor, a resident of Griffith Avenue, is looking forward to the
‘super truck’ ban being implemented on November 1.
“Griffith Avenue is the longest tree-lined avenue in Northern Europe with no retail outlets,
? Mr Traynor told Northside People.
“It is a valuable amenity which is widely used by cyclists, joggers and dog walkers.
“I have raised the issue of the trucks trundling along the road with Dublin City Council and public representatives numerous times over the years, given the concentration of schools in the area.
“Recently a traffic island was demolished in heavy traffic. This was followed in quick succession by a convoy of car transporters which was captured on camera.
?
Mr Traynor said four schools open out onto the avenue, which have around 2,000 staff and pupils combined.
“At peak times it can be very dangerous as children are entering and leaving, and now that the schools are back there is a lot more activity around the area,
? he stated.
Mr Traynor believes enforcement and signage will be important if the ban is to be successfully implemented.
“Signage will be the first tool (used as warning to
‘super truck’ drivers),
? he said.
“If enforcement is not strong enough, I will be calling on Dublin City Council to take action.
“However, I want to support the city council as there has been great activity on this in the last few weeks with the installation of guard rails along grass verges to promote safer parking of cars.
?
Mr Traynor added that ultimately it will be the safety aspect for local residents and schools that’s most important and reason enough to enforce the ban.
A spokesman for the Department of Transport told Northside People:
“The derogation of vehicles in excess of 4.65 metres, which is due to end on October 31, will not be extended or renewed by the Minister.
“The impact of that is that the operation of vehicles in excess of that height will no longer be legal. Enforcement of road traffic legislation is a matter for An Garda Siochana.
?
The spokesman said the ending of the height derogation has no relevance to vehicle weights.
“Currently the maximum permitted weight of a five-axle articulated suitably equipped combination is 42 tonnes, while the maximum on suitable equipped six-axle vehicles is 46 tonnes,
? he added.
“The Minister currently has no proposals to alter those weight limits.
?
A spokesman for the Irish Road Hauliers’ Association (IRHA) told Northside People that the ban would be totally unworkable and they would be against it.
“This is a legacy issue going back to when they built the tunnel; they didn’t build it high enough to accommodate these trucks,
? he said.
“The trucks will have to have some way of getting to Dublin Port. The port is the link to the UK and the Continent.
“The residents should realise that only for the export trade the country would be in a bigger mess.
?