An Bord Pleanála’s decision today to build two toll plazas along the M1 motorway outside Drogheda was angrily received by Fine Gael, who claimed it would have a negative affect on the town.
The party’s TD for Co Louth, Mr Fergus O’Dowd, said the toll plazaz, to be built on both the north and south side of Drogheda, would effectively cut off the town from visitors.
He said access to the town’s new industrial estate would be tolled. This would have an adverse impact on business in the area, and was a "disgraceful decision".
"While there may be some argument for inter-city tolls on long-distance routes, there is no justification for putting a toll on a town by-pass," he said, noting that there were no tolls at Swords, Ardee, Dundalk or Balbriggan.
the National Roads Authority said the toll booths would bring in much-needed revenue to be invested in the roads infrastructure.