Transport | Restriction of five and six-axel vehicular traffic at peak traffic times

To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which five- and six-axel vehicular traffic continues to be restricted at peak traffic times; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

Subject to the Road Traffic (Control of Traffic) Regulations 2006, a local authority may choose to prohibit or restrict specified multi-axle vehicles from access to particular public roads within its functional area. The signage to denote such restrictions is set out in national legislation, as are  local authority powers to operate a permit-based exemption system for vehicles affected by the restrictions.

My role as Minister for Transport is strictly limited to provision of the enabling legislation. The location, enforcement, and periods of operation of multi-axle vehicle restrictions are entirely at the discretion of local authorities.