Time restrictions for bin companies to ease congestion – Ward

Local authorities and bin companies should set up time restrictions in built-up and suburban areas to help ease traffic issues, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy Barry Ward said, “I have written to the Minister for Housing, Local Government, and Heritage to request he engage with the relevant stakeholders to set up a timetable to ensure bin trucks are not adding to rush-hour issues in towns and cities.”

This proposal comes in the context of increasing traffic congestion, and the Dublin TD believes this will have a small but positive impact in alleviating some of the traffic.

“In recent weeks, I have been contacted on a nearly daily basis by residents who have had the misfortune of being stuck behind a bin collection truck in their area, before they even hit the rush hour traffic.

“I’m particularly conscious of the increased congestion that we are all experiencing in the last couple of months, and while I totally accept this proposal won’t solve the issue, I do think it is a relatively simple change that will have a positive impact.”

Deputy Ward said Minister James Brown should consider a proposal that all bin collections be restricted during peak commute times in the mornings and evenings and instead be limited to times when our roads are less congested.

“As someone who sits in daily congestion, either by bus or by car, this change would be extremely welcome, even if it reduced commutes by five or ten minutes.

“I hope the Minister and his Department officials can work with private bin collectors to put in place a timetable that would benefit commuters while also maintaining a high standard of service at one of the busiest times of year, both in terms of rubbish collection and traffic.

“This time restriction is already in place in Brussels, Rome and Paris where waste collection is generally organised outside of peak traffic windows, often late morning or early afternoons to reduce traffic congestion, and my understanding is that it has had a positive effect for local residents,” concluded Barry Ward.