COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF TERENURE-RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE (1)
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
MOTION NO. 3
MOTION: Councillor C. Keane
"That this Committee discuss with the aid of a full report the legislation governing ‘Abnormal Loads’ in SDCC, with a view to making it more user friendly particularly for businesses who have more than 5 trucks on the roads of SDCC at any one time. Also, if the Manager could come up with some suggestions/recommendations of how this exercise could be simplified for the business person, it may require a recommendation on change of legislation."
REPORT:
Abnormal load movement requires a license under the Road Traffic (construction and use of vehicles) Regulations 2003 (SI 5 /2003 issued from the roads authority in order to be permitted to travel on the public roads in the area of the local authority.
South Dublin County Council has taken the following steps to insure that the process is as simple and efficient as possible for abnormal load applicants. The application forms can be downloaded from the Council's website. The following should be noted:
- The application form was revised in 2007 in order that the information required could be presented with clarity including the technical elements describing the load.
- Applicants do not need to describe the routes in detail but just opt for just the national routes and /or regional routes.
- Several vehicles with the same size and loading characteristics may be included on the one form so that a fleet or alternative vehicles can be included without the need for duplication in form filling. Each vehicle is issued with a separate permit.
- An applicant, depending on their preference, can select the permit to be valid for one month or a full year.
- Once a permit has isued the vehicle registration number or conditions attached therto cannot be changed.
- The Garda Authorities have the responsibility of enforcing the law with regard to these licences.
Standard conditions are placed on applicants depending on the particulars of the load. In the most restrictive case where a load may occupy more than one standard road lane the movement can only be made during the night. Other wide loads may be restricted from travelling at peak traffic hours.
The charges associated with the issuing of a permit cover the administration of the permit.