Results of HGV toll holiday show bypass is only sustainable long-term solution for Slane – McEntee

Fine Gael Meath East TD, Helen McEntee, has today (Thursday) said that the results of the HGV toll holiday on the M3, which was carried out late last year, show that a bypass is the only long-term sustainable solution for Slane. During the toll holiday the number of HGVs passing through the village dropped by an average of 40%.

“The toll holiday, which was an initiative introduced by the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar TD, was a worthwhile project to assess what impact lifting tolls would have on the number of HGVs passing through Slane. However, I believe its results show that a bypass is the only long-term solution for   the village. A 40% reduction in the number of HGVs passing through the village quite simply isn’t enough for those who work and live there.

“Following a meeting with Minister Varadkar last May, Meath County Council started to compile a report looking at a range of measures which could be implemented in Slane, because the Minister indicated that all options should be exhausted before a planning application for a bypass is resubmitted to An Bord Pleanala.

“These options include reducing the speed limit, banning HGVs and introducing a height restriction. However, this process was put on hold during the toll holiday. I understand that the County Council is now recommencing this work, in a bid to examine how different measures would impact the village. The Council will also include analysis from the NRA on the toll holiday in its final report.

“I expect the report will conclude that these various measures will not be enough to prevent HGVs from using Slane village. We also need to closely consider the fact that if HGVs avoid both the village and the motorway, in the absence of a bypass, they will simply use the back roads in the area, leading to greater wear and tear and congestion on these already burdened roads.”

ENDS