Former Mayor of Drogheda Frank Godfrey is arranging another public meeting on the topic of the M1 Drogheda motorway tolls this Thursday evening (November 16th) at 8pm in the d Hotel.
At the meeting Frank will update residents and motorists on campaign progress and also alert them to the possible pollution risks as more and more drivers are choosing to drive through Drogheda to avoid penal M1 Drogheda motorway tolls.
“This is likely to be the final meeting before Christmas,” said Frank. “It is an opportunity to bring everyone affected by the tolls up to date on the campaign, including the very positive support we received from TDs and Senators from across the country at the gates of Leinster House.
“We have engaged with the three Government leaders – Taoiseach Leo Varadkar; Tanaiste Michael Martin and Green Party Leader, Eamon Ryan, and contact has also been made with Ministers Darragh O’Brien and Pascal Donohue.
“All claim to have no responsibility for the management of the tolls and refer us to Transport Infrastructure Ireland, which is an unelected Semi State organisation and use this as a convenient way to duck the Drogheda tolls issue and meeting with us. This response has further angered the toll campaigners.”
“Minister Eamonn Ryan is passing the buck to Transport Infrastructure Ireland and refuses to respond directly to the growing anger in Drogheda; South Louth and East Meath regarding the rip-off M1 Drogheda Tolls.
For that reason, a further local public meeting is planned for Drogheda on this Thursday November 16 at the d Hotel commencing at 8pm and Frank is inviting all Councillors, Senators and TDs in the Greater Drogheda Area as well as key community and business representatives to attend to allow for a full discussion can take place on how to successfully tackle this growing problem.
The recent opening of the Midleton by-pass in Co.Cork highlighted how air quality in the town has improved enormously since traffic has switched (with no toll involved) to using the by-pass.
“In effect, the M1 motorway is the Drogheda by-pass, but the existence of a local toll has resulted in motorists in the Greater Drogheda area avoiding the M1 tolls, thus congesting and polluting central Drogheda, Julianstown and connecting local roads, creating increased air and noise pollution as well greater road safety risks.”
Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s pricing strategy is a disaster as far as community and environmental issues are concerned – and needs to be scrapped ASAP” said Frank.
