Pat Rabbitte
Question:112 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport the Government's policy in regard to the tolling of roads and motorways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18240/02]
Written Answers. - Roads Funding.
The National Development Plan 2000-2006 envisages significant private sector investment in national road development: it is proposed that some 23% of the €6.75 billion investment in national road improvements under the NDP is to be contributed by public private partnership financing based on user tolls. User tolls are now in widespread use throughout the developed and developing world and are particularly favoured where rapid expansion in major road networks is required. They are a considerably more widely used instrument of roads financing than shadow tolls and more readily permit the transfer of economic risk, which is desirable in PPP projects. While the use of shadow tolls has not been ruled out, road user tolling is, on the basis of the above considerations, more likely to be relied upon in the earlier stages of national roads PPP development.
Toll-financed road PPPs will attract private sector funding and aim to ensure earlier delivery of badly needed national roads infrastructure. Through PPPs, private sector innovation will be harnessed in the areas of scheme design, construction and long-term operation and maintenance. As regards the system of tolling to be used, I have already publicly stated that my strong preference is for a method that utilises the most up to date electronic technology to ensure that there is rapid movement of traffic through the tollbooths and traffic tailbacks are eliminated. I have discussed the need to incorporate the electronic tolling system on all proposed toll roads with the National Roads Authority and I intend to continue these discussions over the coming months. I am confident that the modest level of the tolls to be charged, combined with the high quality of the new roads and the greatly improved transport service they will provide, will ensure that the routes are attractive to the vast bulk of inter-urban traffic. Good progress has been made in the roll out of the NRA's PPP programme and four projects – Kilcock-Kinnegad, Waterford city by-pass, Dundalk western by-pass and Fermoy by-pass – are at tender stage. The NRA is also examining the scope for extension of its PPP programme.
The statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws, and to enter into toll agreements with private investors is vested in the National Roads Authority under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000). Road authorities have similar powers in relation to the tolling of non-national roads. Toll charges are determined in accordance with procedures contained in the Roads Act 1993 which provide for public display-consultation of proposals to apply tolls and the holding of public oral hearings in the event of objections being made on toll scheme proposals. I have no responsibility in relation to these matters.
Question No. 113 answered with Question No. 78.