'Truck ban needs to be enforced on Rochfortbrige to Mullingar road'

There will be a serious accident on the Mullingar to Rochfortbridge road unless the law banning five axle trucks from using it is properly enforced, a concerned local resident says.

Although there are signs informing drivers that five axle trucks are not permitted on the section of the R400 between Rochfortbridge and Mullingar, it does not deter them from using the busy regional road, according to the Rochfortbridge resident that contacted the Westmeath Examiner this week.

He says that the ban is being “totally disregarded” by truck drivers and not being enforced by the powers that be.

“Them trucks are too wide and they are carrying 30 or 40 tonnes. Obviously they are not keeping in tight to the ditch because they are so heavily loaded and that means that when they meet us on the bad parts of the road they are driving us into the ditch.

“I know that we are all paying road tax but we are travelling that road everyday and it is falling into disrepair already. The road is being ruined by heavy trucks.”

The resident, who asked that his name not be published, says that he is fearful that there will be a serious accident on the road if large trucks continue to use the route.

“I hope I am wrong but I do see a serious accident happening. There has been a lot of accidents on that road in general, thank God none involving trucks, but I can see one happening and there is going to be someone killed.

“At the end of the day, if you have a big truck and you want to go Mullingar the N52 is there. It's a great road, why not use it? I don't see the logic in going on a regional route when you can go on a national road when you are carrying 30 or 40 tonne.

“I was talking a truck driver the other day and he said that he doesn't use that road [the R400] because if he had an accident, he wouldn't be insured because he's not meant to be on it.

“It's going to come to a head sometime and it will be for the wrong reasons,” he said.