Proposals to introduce new toll roads to raise extra revenue are an "unacceptable extra tax", motoring group AA Ireland said today.
"Direct tolls are an extremely blunt, clumsy and ineffective way of raising money," the AA's Mr Conor Faughnan said. "A stealth tax dressed up as something else, they cause traffic congestion and traffic diversion and should be avoided if at all possible."
The National Roads Authority (NRA) is to propose tolling a number of existing and proposed motorways in an attempt to raise an additional €2 billion to help fund a revised €10 billion national roads programme. Proposals for the new tolls are to be sent shortly to the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan.
The NRA confirmed yesterday that it has been in detailed discussions with the National Development Finance Agency on raising money from the private sector by selling the rights to raise tolls on the Newbridge bypass in Co Kildare, the M50, the proposed Ashbourne (Co Meath) to M50 road and the Lee (Jack Lynch) Tunnel in Cork.
The AA said the use of new tolls on existing roads such as the M50 and the Jack Lynch Tunnel were particularly unwelcome. "These roads are bought and paid for with our money already," Mr Faughnan added.
"Tolling them will cause traffic mayhem in the affected city suburbs. It is an own goal in traffic management terms and is both an unfair and an ineffective way of raising money."
Fine Gael transport spokesman Mr Denis Naughten accused Mr Brennan of deliberately misleading the public.
"When Transport Minister Seamus Brennan unveiled an impressive road-building plan after the last Budget, he said it would be funded by €7 billion from the Exchequer and with further monies from the private sector. This included the cost of finishing the M50. And there was no suggestion of charging motorists for roads they have already paid for."
