COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, September 09, 2013

QUESTION NO. 15

QUESTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

To ask the Manager if he would please make a statement on the proposed new regulations for the movement/restriction of certain vehicles through the county and in particular to clarify:

when will the new regulations come into effect

what will be the effect on roads that have an existing vehicle restriction

will roads that have an existing vehicle restriction have to apply under the new regulations, and if yes under what format and who will decide

what role will the existing traffic CCTV play in the implementation of the new regulations

will the new regulations ensure that the (restricted) movement of unauthorised vehicles and traffic across designated roads and communities will be (1) easier to enforce (2) more strictly enforced

what guarantee can this Council give to residents who suffer from the movement of undesirable vehicles that the hazards caused by these vehicles will cease or be significantly reduced in the future

REPLY:

The new regulations come into effect on 1st October 2013 after this date the existing regulation will no longer have any legal backing, the Council will therefore be obliged to remove the existing signs. Locations with existing vehicle weight restrictions will not have to reapply for statutory approval. All existing restrictions will be reviewed and those restrictions that are still relevant will be replaced in compliance with the recently adopted policy.

These restrictions will be advised to the members prior to implementation at area committee meetings in September.

The new restrictions limits will now be in sync with vehicle taxation and driver license categories (both in Ireland and across the EU) therefore there should no ambiguity when inspecting a vehicle for its weight. Drivers will be aware of their vehicles weight classification as their vehicles are manufactured for compliance with EU requirements.  

The Council cannot give the guarantees requested as enforcement will continue to be a matter for the Gardaí and the Council's CCTV will have no function in policing these restrictions.