Ryan calls for incentives to reduce traffic congestion
Former government minister Eoin Ryan has called for the introduction of British-style incentives for companies to use the rail network in a bid to reduce heavy traffic on the roads.
Mr Ryan, who is chairman of the Dáil transport committee, said today that the move should be made to encourage heavy goods off the roads of Ireland.
"Businesses throughout the country should receive incentives to use the national rail network to remove the high level of traffic on the roads,'' he said.
A similar scheme has been used in Britain, where it has been effective in increasing the use of rail transport.
Mr Ryan, added: "Without investment in railway wagons and sidings, companies could not even contemplate rail as an economical transport option."
He went on to say that traffic congestion has major repercussions in terms of maintenance costs and environmental impact and that we have a responsibility to ensure that alternative transport options are attractive for businesses.
