BULGARIA REINSTATED BAN ON MOVEMENT OF LORRIES ON MOTORWAYS ON FRIDAYS AND SUNDAYS

Bulgaria’s Road Infrastructure Agency reinstated the ban on the movement of lorries of over 12 tonnes on all motorways and first-grade roads on Fridays and Sundays.

The restrictions will apply for the period from 22nd of July to 15th of September. Lorries weighing over 12 tonnes will be banned from travelling on the roads on Fridays, from 17.00 to 20.00 and on Sundays from 14.00 to 20.00 in the evening.

The reason for putting the ban in place again was a complaint by the Bulgarian Association of Victims in Car Accidents, describing several accidents with heavy lorries after the lorry ban was lifted on 7 of July this year. According to the complaint, only on 13th of July 2016, there were 3 accidents in which 5 heavy lorries were involved.

In the period of public holidays, until 1st of January 2017, the movement of lorries over 12 tonnes will be restricted in the day preceding the holiday, from 16.00 to 20.00 and in the last non-working day of the holiday – from 14.00 to 20.00.

The ban will apply for the movement of lorries on the motorways; road I-1 Vidin – Botevgrad; road I-1 Blagoevgrad – Kulata border crossing; road I-4 Koritna – Veliko Turnovo – Shumen; road I-5 Rousse – Veliko Turnovo; road I-8 Kalotina border crossing – Kapitan aAndreevo border crossing; road I-9 Durnakulak – Varna – Bourgas; road II -18 Ring road of Sofia; road II-19 Simitli – Gotse Delchev; road II-86 Plovdiv - Smolyan; road II-99 Bourgas - Tsarevo.

The ban will not apply to vehicles carrying perishable foods and loads requiring special temperature regime, live animals and dangerous goods (ADR).