Ireland pushes through higher weights
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• While the UK has still to decide on whether to raise the weight of two-axle rigids, Ireland has gone ahead with its own package of weight changes which has increased the gross weight of two-axle trucks to 17 tonnes (previously 16.26) and pushed the maximum weight for four axleartics up from 32.5 to 35 tonnes GCW.
As part of the Irish revisions the maximum permitted drive axle gross weights on two-axle rigids in Eire has also been raised from 10 to 10.5 tonnes.
The Irish weight increases on two-axle rigids mirrors the proposals currently under discussion in the UK within the Department of Transport (Commercial Motor, October 4), although Ireland has stopped short of raising gross weights for fiveand six-axle articulated vehicles to 40 tonnes in line with other EEC countries.
Like the UK, Ireland has an EEC derogation from 40 tonnes which "is due to be decided by February 1987". Irish Environment Minister John Boland claims the present 38-tonne limit in Ireland will remain until road infrastructures are considerably improved.
Over £304 million have already been spent on improvements to Ireland's roads as part of a threeyear, £475 million scheme due for completion this year.