COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, July 11, 2011

QUESTION NO. 6

QUESTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

To ask the Manager for a report on the application of the three Tonne limit across the County and to include in the report if the operation of the scheme has been discussed recently with Senior Garda representatives and if it is considered that the present approach is providing the health and safety protection intended?

REPLY:

There are two classes of weight restriction employed by Local Authorities on the public roadway as follows;

(a) Structural (b) Environmental

The ‘structural’ weight restriction is applied where a section of road (usually a bridge) is unable to support vehicle whose gross weight is in excess of that stated on signs and which does not have any implications for other vehicles.

The environmental weight restriction is that normally used on roadways where it is intended that heavy vehicles are restricted for environmental reasons i.e. where the amenity value of the  roadway is reduced by the number of heavy vehicles and where the provision of such a weight restriction assists in improving the safety aspects of a roadway in residential areas.

It is desirable that the number of heavy vehicles on a given road is within normal quantities for that type of road and that such quantity is shared across the network. Additionally vulnerable road users are protected and heavy goods traffic is reduced on these roads except for access. These restrictions should only be considered provided there is no knock-on effect on other areas by transferring the vehicles elsewhere. 

All weight restrictions are subject to the consent of the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána who has responsibility for enforcement and the current limit accross the County relating to HGV's within the County is working satisfactorily.