A Dún Laoghaire TD has called for bin collections to be delayed in order to ease congestion during rush hour. 

Fine Gael’s Barry Ward said it was a “big enough issue” that his constituents have contacted his office, complaining about being late for work because they get stuck behind the lorries

On Breakfast Briefing, Deputy Ward argued that later collections would have a number of benefits. 

“Between eight and nine you have much more traffic on the roads,” he said. 

“You have kids on their way to school, you also have a lot more pedestrians, cyclists, children cycling as well, there is an issue with these very big, cumbersome, let's be honest, dangerous vehicles on the road. 

“And what I'm suggesting is, not necessarily that we would bring down this very heavy regulatory hammer on them, but that they would elect in the first instance not to be on the roads at those times.” 

Bins in Dublin. Picture by: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin.

Early morning restrictions have already been successfully introduced in place in other European cities, such as Paris and Rome. 

Deputy Ward added that the experiences of other cities does not suggest it would have a negative impact on waste disposal companies. 

“I'm just asking companies to look at it,” he said. 

“A number of people have been in touch with me because they're concerned that this proposal would introduce higher bin charges.

“Companies have to operate at different times or they would have to operate through the night and that's not what I'm proposing.”

Bins waiting for collection. Picture by: NCBI

Deputy Ward continued bin collections during the middle of the day would “make most sense”. 

“Let's have a common sense approach to this,” he said.

“Let's look at it, sit down with the bin companies and see what we can do to make sure that there's a better service for people. 

“But also that the roads are safer, clearer at very busy times.”

Main image: Bin men at work. Picture by: Alamy.com.