Truck protest to disrupt Dublin rush hour traffic

A protest by hauliers in Dublin City tomorrow morning over the ban on heavy goods vehicles using the outside lane on motorways is likely to cause major traffic disruption.

The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) plans to drive two convoys of trucks into the city centre in protest between 7am and 9.30am.

The IRHA has warned motorists to avoid both sides of the East Link bridge. The first convoy will circle the area consisting of East Wall Road, Sheriff Street Upper, Castleforbes Road and North Wall Quay.

The second convoy will take proceed along Sean Moore Road to the junction with Beach Road/Church Avenue, turning and

returning back up Sean Moore Road to the roundabout at the junction with Pigeon House Road.

Gardaí - who will be in attendance for the duration of the protest - are warning motorists to expect delays.

The imposition of a penalty point for the use of the right-hand lane of a motorway by a bus or a heavy goods vehicle has angered hauliers.

The IRHA's Jimmy Quinn said it was accepted road practice to move over into the right hand lane when traffic was entering a motorway from a slip road.

Mr Quinn said this rule removes any discretion from the driver and was not in force anywhere else in the European Union.