Dublin City Council's decision to defer plans for an outright, daytime ban on trucks using the city centre has provoked anger from both politicians and hauliers.
The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) is considering legal action after the council last night decided to implement a two-year phased ban to allow for the completion of the M50 upgrade and the introduction of barrier-free tolling on the West Link bridge.
City councillors had intended to sanction a ban on all Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) using the area between Dublin's canals between 7 am and 7 pm. However, outgoing city manager John Fitzgerald warned there would be chaos on the M50 if such a ban was imposed.
It was due to be introduced at the end of the year after work on the Dublin Port Tunnel had been completed.
But following Mr Fitzgerald's intervention, councillors agreed to ban five-axle trucks from January 1st 2007 - around four months after the tunnel is completed, according to the latest estimate.
HGVs with four axles would be allowed to continue using the city centre for a further year under the plan.
IRHA spokesman Jimmy Quinn said his organisation's efforts to have dialogue had been rebuffed and instead "the hysteria of a bunch of well-meaning amateurs" was driving policy.
Mr Quinn said one of the problems as that hauliers on the south quay would incur much higher costs than their northside competitors under the plan. Firms such as those involved in construction and those based within the canals would also have an advantage because they can claim exemptions, Mr Quinn said.
The Dublin Port Authority, Ibec and other businesses - including city centre retailers - regarded the plan as unworkable and the National Roads Authority has also expressed concerns, he added.
He said despite the IRHA's wish to see as many HGVs as possible removed from the city centre, councillors showed "no interest in creating a working relationship to explore other options.
"We are dismayed that the huge logistical effort we make to keep the city fed and watered are rubbished in this way." There were a variety areas that would be subject to examination with a view to taking legal action, Mr Quinn added
Fine Gael councillor Naoise Ó Muiri accused the IRHA's threat as an attempt to hold Dubliners to ransom.
"The use of a tunnel that cost over €700 million to build is being provided to the haulage industry free-of-charge, yet all they do is engage in bully-boy tactics and threaten legal action," Mr Ó Muiri said.
Green Party transport spokesman Eamon Ryan said pedestrians would continue to be at risk from HGVs because of the delay in implementing and outright ban.
"The M50 was designed to be an economic corridor and it's a sad state of affairs when Dublin's main orbital motorway cannot carry heavy goods vehicles due to congestion," Mr Cuffe said.
He called for a dedicated lane for HGVs on the M50 and the introduction of the city centre ban as originally scheduled.