Traffic warning amid lorries protest

Hauliers scaled back their protest on the M50 and at Dublin Port this morning but commuters were still warned of major traffic disruption in the rush-hour.

Up to 300 trucks were involved in a slow-moving blockade along the capital’s ring road in protest at Dublin City Council’s ban on all large goods vehicles on the city’s quays, while rolling stoppages were taking place at Dublin Port.

The Road Transport Association (RTA) said it scaled back the demonstration, which was planned to involve up to 600 trucks, after consultations over the weekend with gardaí.

“We’ve scaled down the protests to help ease the disruption to the public,” said RTA spokesman Michael McMahon.

“We’re on protest until we get progress.”

On February 19, Dublin City Council banned all trucks with five axles or more from travelling along Dublin’s quays, forcing them on to the Port Tunnel and M50.

The RTA argues that the HGV strategy has led to major hold-ups on both the north and southbound carriageways, delays which are hampering hauliers in completing their work.

It is calling for the lifting of the tolls on the M50 and the appointment of an industry regulator.

The demonstration does not have the support of the Irish Road Hauliers Association (IRHA), which said it would inconvenience ordinary commuters.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael’s transport spokeswoman, Olivia Mitchell, accused the RTA of using commuters as pawns in its protest.

“It is simply unacceptable for the truckers to use other beleaguered commuters as pawns to highlight their grievances.

“All users of the M50, and particularly those trying to get to and from work at peak hours, are equally frustrated with the congestion and in many cases face significant financial losses due to lengthy travelling times,” she said.

“No matter how valid the case being highlighted by the hauliers, it is just unpardonable to ask commuters to tolerate further hours of delay to support their cause.”