The Freight Transport Association Ireland (FTAI) has said it is delighted at the announcement that the Minister has agreed to increase the weight limits for trucks - stating that it will mean fewer road journeys for HGVs in Ireland. 

FTAI has long campaigned for the extension of the 46 tonne GVW limit to drawbar trailer combinations, and has welcomed the announcement by Ireland's Road Safety Authority (RSA), and has sought the introduction of the policy measure since the limit for certain vehicle combinations increased to 46 tonnes in 2013.

In its announcement the RSA stated that by allowing individual vehicles to carry extra payload, fewer journeys overall will be needed to transport a given quantity of goods, which will see additional benefits for road safety, the environment and business.

Neil McDonnell - FTA Ireland general manager said: "FTA Ireland is delighted that the weight limit for rigid and drawbar combination trucks is to be increased.  We have been calling for this introduction for a long time now, and this will help ensure more efficient transport operations and reduce the total number of vehicle journeys, while protecting the modern roads estate Ireland has built up over the last ten years."

From June 1 2015 the owners/operators of six (or more) axle rigid truck and drawbar trailer combinations will have the option of operating at 46 tonnes. This represents up to a 4 tonne increase over the pre-existing national weight limit, and aligns with the limit applicable to six axle articulated vehicle combinations since April 2013.