City council is urged to reduce toll cost

A NORTHSIDE councillor has called on Dublin City Council to reduce the East Link Bridge toll to €1. 

Cllr Naoise Ó Muirí, one of Fine Gael’s candidates in Dublin Bay North for the general election, said the city council needs to “play fair” and reduce the cost for motorists which currently stands at €1.75. 

“Dublin City Council now has full ownership of the East Link Bridge,” said Cllr Ó Muirí. 

“The toll was initially implemented to re-pay the cost of building the bridge under a PPP-type arrangement and Dublin City Council officials have recommended maintaining the toll, as it provides a revenue stream for the council.

“Maintaining existing tolling charges on the basis that they create an income stream for the council totally misses the point that the bridge is already paid for. Annual maintenance costs amount to just €200,000. Even factoring in a sinking fund for long-term refurbishment costs, the council will still be coining in far more money than is actually required.”

Cllr Ó Muirí added: “I will be writing to the relevant Dublin City Council committee to seek a toll reduction to €1.” 

Dublin City Council said it would not be commenting.