Opposition to plans for a toll on the long-awaited Waterford bypass is gathering momentum.
County councillors in Kilkenny voted unanimously on Monday to support their Waterford Corporation counterparts' stance that the Government should bring in a "shadow toll" instead of charging motorists. Under this concept the Government would pay an annual toll based on the numbers of vehicles using the bypass.
The Minister of State, Mr Martin Cullen, has said a public-private partnership, with a consequent road toll, is the only feasible option if Waterford is to get a much-needed second river crossing by the end of 2004.
Opponents say there is nothing to stop public-private partnership going ahead with the Government paying the tolls. Mr Dick Dowling of Fine Gael told the council meeting this system had been successfully used in Britain and elsewhere.
Mr Bobby Aylward of Fianna Fail, the current chairman of the South East Regional Authority, said he had no problem with that idea, but it was vital the bypass went ahead as soon as possible.
The bypass is designed to relieve congestion on the approaches to Waterford from Wexford and Kilkenny, and it will take traffic on to the Rosslare-Cork route away from the city. Councillors in south Kilkenny and Waterford city, however, say it could cost workers up to £10 a week in tolls.
They claim a toll would be discriminatory as comparable bypasses, such as the Jack Lynch tunnel in Cork, are free to motorists. Mr John Paul Phelan of Fine Gael said drivers were already investing in the roads system through their motor tax. "I don't accept the threat that if we object to tolls we'll be told to get to the end of the queue," he said.
A proposal by Mr Pat Dunphy of Fine Gael that the council "totally reject" tolls was dropped in favour of a Fianna Fail motion, tabled by Mr Jimmy Brett, acknowledging the need for private investment in the bypass but requesting the Government to introduce shadow rather than direct tolling. This was supported by all councillors.
The county secretary, Mr Philip O'Neill, said the council had until April 27th to make submissions to the National Roads Authority on the matter.
