In a bid to tackle chronic local traffic congestion, Meath County Council has voted in support of a Labour Councillor’s motion for toll-free travel for HGV traffic on the M1.
At the March meeting of Meath County Council, Labour Councillor Elaine McGinty said there was need for urgent action on the issue with tolls set to rise at the end of June.
The Labour councillor’s motion calls on the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD to engage with the toll companies on making the M1 toll-free for HGVs.
Cllr McGinty pointed out that toll prices are due to increase by up to 9 per cent, excise duty on fuel will soon be restored adding eight cent per litre to the price of petrol and six cent for diesel and carbon tax increases are due in May.
“That’s three separate increases on the way for motorists which will inevitably lead to an increase in toll avoidance which is an issue that is already choking our towns and villages with traffic.”
The Labour councillor said that millions of euro of tax-payer’s money was paid out to private toll companies in traffic guarantee payments over the past three years, due to lower levels of traffic on our motorways during lockdown.
“Some private toll companies have recorded millions of euros in after-tax profits in the past year.
“In addition, the government has paid an additional €12.5m since January to defer the toll charges increases until the end of June.
“That’s a lot of public money being used to prop up this sector’s profits. I am sure other sectors of the economy would love these terms.”
Cllr McGinty explained: “My motion is about fairness, about social and environmental corporate responsibility.
“Workers, hauliers and businesses are really struggling with their transport costs. This proposed toll increase will add €8 million to the operating costs of hauliers, in the second half of 2023 alone. It will heap additional costs on workers and families who have little or no alternatives.
“In my own area, the M1 toll, was meant to reduce traffic from our towns and villages in East Meath. Instead, we have over 21,000 vehicles passing through the village of Julianstown every week to avoid the expensive toll.”
The Labour councillor said: “The idea of bypassing a town was meant to translate into less wear and tear on our regional roads and for county councils, a reduction in their repair and maintenance costs.
“The opposite has happened in East Meath as a result of this toll and it now costing the council significant sums to repair and maintain the surrounding roads.
“This is not a transport solution for East Meath, but a heavy price both environmentally and economically on the area.”
“What I am proposing is a short-term solution. Removing the toll for HGVs would immediately help to tackle chronic traffic congestion in our towns and villages, improve air quality, require less road maintenance from the council and it would make the roads considerably safer.”
