M4 Kinnegad Enfield Kilcock Motorway Oral Hearing |
Two local authorities object in principle to tolling |
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The State's first oral hearing of objections to the provision of tolls on the proposed new motorways got under way this morning Monday August 27th 2001 at 10.00am at Bloomfield House Hotel, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. The Inspector appointed by the National Roads Authority (NRA) to chair the hearing was Mr. Kevin O'Sullivan. The NRA was represented legally by Mr. McGuinness S.C. Other experts for the NRA were Mr. Michael J. MacNicholas, a traffic consultant from Location and Development Ltd., Mr. Peter Broch, an economist from COWI Consulting Engineers and Planners who presented evidence on the economics of tolling and Mr. Gerry Murphy, the Public Private Partnership Manager in the NRA. Nine written submissions objecting to the tolling scheme were the subject of the hearing. Copies of the submissions were distributed at the hearing. The written objections were submitted by the following: Meath County Council Additionally, the Inspector agreed to allow written submissions from some parties who did not make submissions before the official closing date. The objectors put forward a range of reasons why they opposed the tolling of the M4 motorway. For example among the Enfield Traders Association objections is a fear of losing business to through traffic and increased competition from new services that will be induced by the motorway, some possibly on designated service areas along the motorway. Kildare County Council expressed a general opposition to tolls. Similarly Meath County Council objected on the basis that they are opposed to any tolls on the M4 or any other roads passing through Meath. The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) object to the concept of tolling a relief or ring road such as the M4 in this case and also specifically mention their objection to Waterford City Bypass being tolled. It's worth noting that the a member of the IRHA, Sheila McCabe, is a member of the NRA board. It's also worth noting that many local authorities throughout the country are promoters of tolled motorway projects - the developers in fact - while in a number of notable instances simultaneously opposing the tolling of these same schemes, an apparently incongruous situation. The Inspector advised the hearing that whereas he would make a report that included recommendations to the NRA, the NRA was not legally bound to accept his recommendations nor was it legally obliged to refer to Government on the matter since it possessed complete autonomy in this matter as indeed in many other matters.
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