By - Paddy Murray.
NRA manage to shoot themselves in the foot, again
I don't often have news stories on this page, least of all, exclusive ones.
But today is an exception. Because I'm going to tell you something you didn't know and which the authorities haven't been exactly shouting from the rooftops.
First, a question.
Do you actually believe our ministers are doing all they can to battle climate change, to encourage us to use public transport and to leave our cars at home?
Really? Well I don't. And here's the news story that explains why.
The M3 is, despite everything, ploughing it's way through Tara.
But at least, finally, plans have been announced to revive the old Navan rail line.
Brilliant, you think. Most people will opt for the Train.
Not only will it be the "Green" thing to do, it will be cheaper.
Comfortable
Indeed, Iarnród Éireann has already drawn up plans for a Park and Ride facility at the townland of Pace. It will be just the spot for those hard pressed motorists from Navan and beyond to leave their cars and take a comfortable train ride into the city.
Only nothings ever that simple.
Because the heritage wreckers of the National Roads Authority, the people who gave us the dodgy tunnel, the M50, the Mad Cow fiasco, increased tolls and who have not managed to link any two cities in the Republic of Ireland by motorway, are putting their toll plaza - or one of them - just north of Pace.
What does this mean?
It means that people from Navan and beyond who want to take the train into Dublin will have to pay, not just a train fare, not just a parking fee, but a daily toll of €3.40 as well.
Work it out. You leave your car at the Park and Ride five days a week for 46 weeks a year, and your €782 out of pocket.
The NRA says that because planning permission was granted by An Bord Pleanála for the toll plaza, they have to build it.
Did you ever hear such tosh in your life? The NRA is telling us, that if you apply for planning permission and get it, you are in some way legally required to build.
They say they are building two bridges FREE OF CHARGE for Iarnród Éireann. More tosh. If they'd altered the route of the road, it wouldn't be crossing the railway line at all - and wouldn't be destroying Tara either.
The NRA's toll plaza is designed to catch as many motorists as possible so that their coffers are filled up even further with money from already hard-pressed commuters.
And what about this?
Station
Although it's building the M3 to take traffic off the old N3, this is what the NRA says about those who don't fancy paying almost €800 a year to drive to the station.
"The proposed location of the Park and Ride facility will be well served by a series of good quality toll-free Regional Roads (incl. the existing N3)".
Really. "Good quality toll-free regional roads (incl. the existing N3)".
Well, if the N3 is good quality, what the hell are they doing building a feckin' motorway in the first place?
Oh, how the people of Meath have been conned.
© Sunday World, 30th. March 2008.
Related Articles:
Confusion over rail link.
Navan rail line 100% certain, - says Dempsey.
€578m rail line to Navan "Not financially viable".
M3 Will Kill Navan Rail Link.
Iarnród Éireann outlines Navan railway route.
Route of Navan-Dublin rail line to be outlined "within weeks".