Dublin To Follow London On Road Charges?

Dublin City Council is eyeing up the UK capital's controversial congestion charges, and is said to be ready to consider the introduction of a similar London-style 'tax'.

However, they may not be alone, as worldwide - and closer to home as well - other urban conurbations are seeking a similar 'solution' to traffic standstills.

During an appearance before the Oireachtas Transport Committee yesterday, Dublin City Manager John Tierney said that congestion charges would be considered.

He said this was to ensure the capital doesn't come to a standstill once work began on major public transport projects like the proposed Metro and LUAS connector line.

He said the two projects are scheduled to get underway next year and that congestion charges would see motorists having to pay a fee to enter the city centre – thus reducing traffic and generating revenue.

Just across the Irish Sea, in Cardiff, charging could also be introduced soon on some of North Wales’ busiest roads under new powers set to be handed over to the Welsh Assembly.

The Government published its Local Transport Bill late last year, which includes provision for Cardiff Bay to introduce its own controversial pay-as-you drive scheme on major roads across the country.

The Assembly already has a number of powers over transport in Wales.

Meanwhile, in the USA, news that the number of metro areas where rush-hour travellers spend more than 20 hours per year stewing in traffic grew from a mere five in 1982 to 51 in 2003, according to the most recent report from the Texas Transportation Institute.

US traffic policies have long focused on road building - but some now also argue that opening toll-based express lanes or instituting extra fees for rush-hour drivers - as London did in 2003 - may drive people toward public transportation and make commutes more efficient.

(BMcC)