THE Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is reminding road users that from November 1 the maximum height of any vehicle on Irish roads – including HGVs – will be 4.65 metres.
A spokesman for the Department said the regulations were signed into effect by the previous Government and were now being implemented following a substantial
‘washing out’ period, designed to give the haulage industry sufficient time to prepare.
“The reasons behind the limit are mainly concerned with rail safety and the protection of expensive physical infrastructure (such as bridge strikes by over-height vehicles), road safety, quality of life considerations for residents in urban areas,
? he told Northside People.
“This last point is because vehicles higher than 4.65 metres cannot use the Jack Lynch, Dublin Port or Limerick Tunnels and therefore must be diverted through urban areas.
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The spokesman said that where over-height vehicles need to be used in exceptional circumstances on the country’s road network, the existing regime for abnormal loads would be able to deal with such requests.
“This is not an alternative to complying with the legislation as it is only meant for exceptional circumstances,
? he stated.
“Applications under the abnormal load permit system, operated by local authorities, includes vehicles/loads that exceed the maximum height or weight restrictions as outlined in the relevant regulations.
“Certain conditions under the permit regime must be adhered to when applying to the relevant local authority.
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Donal � Brolcáin, who lives on Griffith Avenue, has welcomed news that the regulation is to be implemented.
“This is yet another step in the removal of through traffic from this educational and residential district, which the Port Tunnel has contributed to since it opened in December 2006,
? Mr � Brolcáin told Northside People.
“There are four schools – two secondary and two primary- on the stretch of Griffith Avenue which the over-height trucks use daily, with another two secondary schools just off the avenue.
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