Hauliers vow to fight 'super-truck' restrictions

Road hauliers today vowed to fight any attempts to prevent so-called "super-trucks" in Ireland after a European court ruling overturning a ban on heavy lorries in an Austrian region reignited the debate.

The decision by the European Court of Justice challenged a regional government ban imposed on trucks of more than 7.5 tonnes on a stretch of main road linking Germany and Italy through the Austrian Tyrol.

Although the Department of Transport today said the ruling had no bearing on any decision on vehicle height restrictions in Ireland, because it related to weight, it has led to renewed argument over the future of the 4.95 metre-high super-trucks in the country.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has previously said the lorries, which are too tall for the Dublin Port Tunnel, should not be allowed in Ireland, as they were not needed in the country.

But Jimmy Quinn of the Irish Road Hauliers Association today said Mr Ahern was out of touch with the reality of haulage in Ireland.

“There is a lack of tolerance around these vehicles, which is seriously worrying as Ireland is the most dependent of EU countries on road transport.

“These vehicles are being used by household names to deliver lightweight consumer goods in a cost-effective way,” he said.

The European Court’s decision found the ban was out of proportion to environmental concerns, and that a lack of alternative routes for the lorries meant it was restricting free movement of goods between member states.

Mr Quinn hailed the Austrian ruling as a victory for common-sense, and said the association would fight a ban on super-trucks, which are in use throughout Ireland.

A number of proposals are being considered by Minister of State Ivor Callely following a public consultation on vehicle height restrictions in Ireland.

Mr Quinn said: “They’re afraid to make a decision because they’re going to be ridiculed either way, and it’s a very unsatisfactory situation for a country that depends on road transport.”

But Labour’s Transport Spokeswoman Roisin Shortall said the Government must go ahead with a proposed ban on the trucks.

She said the Austrian ruling should not be used as an excuse by the Government to renege on its promise to limit the height of lorries in Ireland.

“There are compelling environmental, social and safety reasons for imposing restrictions on these trucks and I have no doubt that regulations imposing restrictions on them could be drawn up that would not conflict with European law.

“Indeed several European countries already have either restrictions or full bans,” she said.

A Dublin City Council spokeswoman said a proposed ban on all trucks using roads through the city centre between 7am and 7pm, which is due to be introduced when the Port Tunnel opens, would not affect the use of the super-trucks.

Although the vehicles are too tall for the tunnel, alternative routes would be provided for them, she said.