The National Roads Authority (NRA) has rejected objections to its plans to increase the proposed toll for the Dublin Port Tunnel, but said it could reduce the charge in the future.
The toll scheme, approved by the Government in 1998, set a basic toll of £1 (€1.27), with a £3 (€3.81) toll during the morning peak from 7am-10am on the southbound carriageway (heading to the port) only. An increase in line with inflation would give tolls of €2 and €6 respectively in 2006 prices.
However, the NRA is now seeking to impose tolls as high as €12 at peak times and €6 off-peak.
The proposed increase was necessary to ensure safety in the tunnel, the NRA yesterday told an oral hearing chaired by civil engineer and town planner Dom Hegarty.
Since 1998, fires, including the Mont Blanc Tunnel fire, had increased safety concerns, resulting in an EU directive which states that congestion should not be allowed to occur within a tunnel, Hugh Creegan of the NRA said.
Mr Hegarty will review the NRA toll scheme over the coming months, before submitting a recommendation to the organisation. A bylaw must be passed before the charge can be brought into law.
