Govt mulls rush-hour restrictions

Cape Town - In a move likely to hearten Gauteng commuters who spend rush hour stuck behind big trucks, Transport Minister Dipuo Peters on Friday said her department was looking at restricting heavy vehicles during these times.

"The department is considering some form of restrictions on heavy motor vehicles during peak traffic periods on heavily trafficked routes," she said in a written reply to a parliamentary question.

However, before this could happen, it was important that "broader consultation" took place on the matter.

"The restriction will affect the entire value chain of the freight transport and logistics in relation to delivery of certain commodities to the market, and has a huge impact on organised labour and business."

Peters said her department would hold "vigorous engagements" with relevant stakeholders to find a solution that would best address road safety, loss of revenue, and congestion.

No such restrictions on heavy vehicles were currently in place.

Peters's reply appears to deal only with national roads in Gauteng.