Congestion charges proposed in new transport strategy

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said congestion costs the economy €1.5bn in lost productivity. File photo

Congestion charges, removing parking spaces for civil servants, and lower insurance costs for those who drive less are new proposals for cutting congestion on the roads.

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan on Wednesday received Government approval for the draft Moving Together transport strategy, which will go to public consultation in April. While the document does not make any changes or set any rules, it does contain suggestions for changing the level of demand on roads.

On congestion charges, it says that local authorities would have the discretion and powers to introduce these fees if needed. It recommends that a review of existing legislation be undertaken to establish whether amendments or new legislation would be required for creating congestion charging or low emissions zones.

However, the document says that local authorities could also be given the power to bring in parking charges at industrial estates and retail parks.

The plan says that “it will be important that out-of-town retail parks and industrial zones will not enjoy any beneficial fall out from congestion charging in urban centres”.

“Accordingly, it is recommended that a review of local authority powers to introduce parking levies on out-of-town retail parks and industrial zones also be undertaken.”

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has received Government approval for the draft Moving Together transport strategy. Picture: PA

On insurance, the plan suggests that people who drive less would receive cheaper premiums. It adds that the Government should work with the insurance industry to allow drivers to retain their no claims discount without requiring continuous car ownership, “removing any impediment to the expansion of car-pooling from an insurance perspective” and “working with insurance companies to find ways to incentivise drivers to reduce their mileage and receive more affordable insurance”.

The plan will encourage the phasing out of car parking at public sector buildings that already have good access to public transport, active travel, and shared mobility options.

Mr Ryan said congestion costs the economy €1.5bn in lost productivity and that “instead of giving us reliability and getting to our destinations quickly, we are wasting hours sitting in traffic”.

Congestion is not working for anyone. It’s not working for car users. It’s not working for people reliant on public transport. It’s not working for people who want to walk or cycle. It’s not working for the environment.

“This strategy is a critical piece in the decarbonising jigsaw for transport, but its benefits are much wider than climate. It is about re-imagining and re-allocating our use of space, and about putting people, rather than cars, at the centre of our urban and transport planning, ensuring better and more liveable towns and cities.

“This does not mean that cars will not continue to be a vital part of our transport mix — for many people, particularly in rural or isolated areas, they will continue to be critical.

“However, what this strategy is about is finding new approaches to making travel, by whatever means, more efficient and pleasant for everybody.”