Sir, - Arthur Beesley's article on National Toll Roads in your edition of September 6th suggests that car toll charges at West Link will rise slightly on January 1st, due to the introduction of the euro.
I can clearly state that there will be no rise in car tolls due to the euro changeover. The charge of €1.30 (designated in euros from the outset) has been proposed since March 8th, 2000, when an amending toll scheme was published for public consultation by the National Roads Authority. That scheme, which supports an agreement to build a second bridge and associated upgrading works at the toll plaza and nearby interchanges, was approved legally in December 2000.
What has occured in the meantime to confuse the issue is that, following a European Court of Justice ruling, VAT has had to be applied to tolls at the rate of 20 per cent from September 1st. This necessitated a restructuring of the tolling regime for West Link, which was again the subject for consultation. Under these arrangements, the toll is being increased to £1 from September 1st 2001 to end 2001. Following this short interim period the already approved €1.30 will apply.
Despite the application of VAT, the car toll will be maintained at the originally proposed €1.30 charge in the year 2002. This benefits car motorists, when compared with the costs which could have otherwise applied - i.e., €1.30 plus VAT. - Yours, etc.,
Gerard M. Murphy, Public Private Partnership Manager, National Roads Authority, Waterloo Road, Dublin 4.