Roads Authority accused of operating M50 toll rip-off

The Small Firms Association is accusing the Government and the National Roads Authority of ripping off businesses via new tolling procedures on the M50.

The association says companies are being hit with a de-facto increase in tolls since the NRA took over responsibility for operating the system from National Toll Roads.

NTR's charges included VAT at 21%, which businesses were allowed to reclaim.

The SFA says the tolls have remained the same since the NRA took over, but the charges no longer have any VAT element.

It says this is a blatant stealth tax on businesses and "the latest example of a state rip-off".