The Louth County Manager, Mr John Quinliven, has told the county councillors he intends informing the National Roads Authority of his support for its proposed tolling of the new M1 extension between Gormanstown and Monasterboice, usually referred to as the Drogheda bypass.
This was despite a majority vote by the councillors in favour of a motion to object to the scheme which would see motorists who use the road, as well as those entering and leaving Drogheda, paying approximately #1.
"I supported tolling when I was on the NRA, and we as officials will take money off anybody to pay for the roads; whatever your decision I will be giving my support to tolling," Mr Quinliven told the council. He also said the council could hardly expect money from the NRA for other proposed roads if it did not support tolling.
The NRA scheme would see a toll booth located at Gormanstown in Co Meath, about three miles south of Drogheda, as well as at the main interchange serving Drogheda.
Cllr Arthur Morgan said that tolling "is designed to rip-off Irish motorists". He proposed that the council formally object to the NRA about the proposed draft toll scheme for the motorway.
He said that motorists paid £3 billion in tolls last year and just 17 per cent of this was spent on roads with the balance going to the Exchequer.
He was supported by Senator Fergus O'Dowd (FG) who described the toll as a penal and unacceptable tax. "The only place to be tolled between Dublin and the Border is Drogheda and we in south Louth will pay the price. "It will have a catastrophic effect on business in Drogheda; studies show people will avoid the tolls and go into towns," he said.
However, a Fianna Fail councillor, Mr Peter Savage, supported the scheme and said it was not a bypass of Drogheda but part of a motorway serving the country.
"I admire the Minister for the Environment who is party to introducing the charge in his own county of Meath. If more Ministers had more bottle we might have a saner society," he added.
The motion was passed by 10 votes to seven. Nine councillors were absent.