Podcasts

Should we introduce congestion charges?

How do we solve our congestion problems?  It is a problem that is getting worse. In the greater Dublin area alone the cost of congestion is set to approach €2 billion annually by the end of the next decade.   Traffic problems is only set to worsen as our population grows – it will bring with it more pollution, increased business costs and a reduction in the quality of lives for workers.   A report from the Department of transport has indicated that simply building more roads isn’t the answer as it will just encourage more people to drive.   Some of the ideas that have been presented include introducing congestion charges – similar to London, to discourage people from driving their cars into the city.   There are also suggestions of limiting parking, such as banning on-street parking in cities and putting tolls on currently untolled roads.   Ciara spoke to many callers with their views. see more