A new app will allow Dublin residents to check if five axle trucks have a permit to be in the city centre.

Dublin City Council says it will help police the increasing numbers of deliveries to construction sites in the city.

A ban on five axle trucks in Dublin city was introduced in 2007 following the opening of the port tunnel and was intended to stop through traffic to the port.

However up to 80 permits a day are given to allow for deliveries.

Since the cordon area was introduced the number of large trucks is down by up to 90% on the roads inside it.

But in East Wall which is an area that borders the cordon area residents have complained about the number of five axle trucks still using their streets.

Spokesperson Tony McDonnell of the North Port Dwellers Association said anything that reduces the number of trucks and air pollution is welcome.

Brendan O'Brien head of technical services with Dublin City Council says there are increasing numbers of deliveries being made to construction sites in the city and the app will also help builders to ensure their deliveries are compliant.

It is estimated that around 25% of five axle trucks on city centre roads do not have a permit.

The delivery permit costs €10 a day and the driver of the truck is liable to a €800 fine for not having one rising to €1,300 for a second offence.

Acting Chief Superintendent Tom Murphy of Dublin Metropolitan Region Traffic said the problem had been that truckers could instantly obtain a permit if they were pulled over.

The new system will mean a truck cannot apply for a permit while it is being checked.

Verona Murphy of the Irish Road Haulage Association said there is still no app to allow truckers to pay for the permit.