Irish pressure
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THE IRISH Road Haulage Association has demanded that the maximum gross vehicle weight should be increased to 38 tonnes in line with the new British laws.
IRHA president Jim Walsh described the present 32.5 tonne limits as "simply unrealistic".
"The Irish Construction Use Regulations date from 1963 and there have been no changes despite improvements in truck design," said Mr Walsh.
"Overloading is widespread because of the other commitments of the police force and the lack of weighbridges.
"The Government's failure to bring the regulations into line with those of the UK is likely to encourage more operators to disregard what they consider to be arch ac laws."
Delegates at the conference also called for an increase in the maximum length of tractive units and trailers to 50ft 9in. The motion which was finally adopted called for overall harmonisation of vehicle weights and dimensions within the EEC.