[PR] Maximum Vehicle Height

Victor

Well at least someone was working Christmas week

http://www.transport.ie/viewitem.asp?id=6303&lang=ENG&loc=1801

Maximum Vehicle Height: Callely Publishes Consultative Paper for Public Comment

22 December 2004

Mr. Ivor Callely, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Transport today (Wednesday 22nd December 2004) published a consultative paper on a possible maximum height for motor vehicles.

The Minister said that the question of a vehicle height limit is a complex issue and he recognises that a case can be made both for and against a limit. The consultative process is completely open and inclusive and is being undertaken without any predetermined outcome. For this reason, the consultative paper does not indicate a proposed maximum vehicle height. "I will make a decision about whether or not to introduce a vehicle height after I have considered the responses to the consultative paper", said the Minister.

"In coming to any decision on the matter, a range of factors of national importance must be taken into account including business competitiveness, rail safety, road safety, environment and quality of life issues, protection of expensive infrastructure, and the need for certainty in planning future investment in road, bridge, and railway infrastructure", said the Minister. These central issues are outlined in the consultative paper. Specifically, the Minister is inviting views on

* Whether a specific height limit is necessary.
* If so, what should the height limit be?
* What vehicles should be subject to a height limit?
* What might be the content and approach of any legislation to restrict vehicle height?
* Is there an alternative to a statutory maximum height for vehicles?

"The quality of the decision to be made will be all the better because of the consultation process and for this reason it is important that all parties with interests or concerns in this matter respond to the issues raised in the consultative paper", said the Minister.

The consultative paper and draft regulation are available on the Department of Transport website www.transport.ie , or email request to vehiclestandardsdivision@transport.ie or by phone to (01) 6041671.



ENDS

BrianD

* Whether a specific height limit is necessary.
* If so, what should the height limit be?
* What vehicles should be subject to a height limit?
* What might be the content and approach of any legislation to restrict vehicle height?
* Is there an alternative to a statutory maximum height for vehicles?

It is hard to believe that some one in the civil service came up with this rubbish. This question "What vehicles should be subject to a height limit?" plus the last question takes the biscuit .

I am sure there is an existing height limit already in effect. You leave it at that or set it the same as our Continental friends (4 metres in many countries). They only vehicles that breach the height limit are:

- Extraordinary loads
- Supercubes (only used in the UK and Ireland)
- Car transporters (triple deckers are only used in the UK and Ireland).

Ban the supercubes and triple deckers altogether or put in HGV management policies in urban areas (as Dublin CC is) as required that will direct these vehicles along specific routes.