Nolan meets TII to discuss Durrow N52 scheme and toll fees
Independent TD for Offaly Carol Nolan has met with Cathal Masterson, Director of Commercial Operations with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and Pat Maher, Director of Network Management, TII, to strongly push for immediate movement on the proposed N52 Tullamore to Kilbeggan Scheme and for a reassessment of TII’s decision to proceed with toll fee increases that have had a particularly adverse impact on the Irish road haulage sector.
Deputy Nolan organised the meeting which took place in Leinster House following what she described as ongoing concern about the failure of the Department of Transport to provide funding for the Durrow Scheme, despite the fact that it was included amongst a number of national road schemes identified for consideration in the National Development Plan (NDP):
“My meeting today with TII was very constructive but also very direct. I made it absolutely clear that the Durrow community and the wider communities of Tullamore and Kilbeggan need to see movement on this project as soon as possible.
“TII for its part says that while it stands ready to advance the project, the allocation of funding that will allow it to do this is a political decision that can only be made by Government and Minister Darragh O’Brien. That is where the hold-up lies and that is where we need to focus our attention. The previous minister had zero political will to advance the N52 project in terms of allocating sufficient capital expenditure; we cannot have that replicated with the current minister.
“TII also made it clear that there is an urgent need to streamline the planning process which is often heavily influenced by EU and national environmental assessments. I share that view.”
“In terms of the toll fees impact on hauliers I highlighted with TII that these are costing the sector €72,792 per day with some large haulage companies paying €20,000 a month. This is completely unsustainable. We also certainly need to continue exploring all options that allow for barrier free toll along the lines of the Enfield Barrier Free model. This would dramatically ease congestion, vehicle stalling and the knock-on effects on fuel costs.
“I have committed to further constructive engagement with TII on both issues,” concluded Deputy Nolan.