The Dublin Airport operator has been given the green light to proceed with controversial plans to introduce a new toll system for motorists dropping off and picking up passengers at the airport.
n Bord Pleanála has confirmed the decision of the Fingal District Council to grant DAA planning permission to develop new toll-free drop-off and pick-up areas at the airport’s two terminals.
The board rejected an appeal against the council’s ruling by local Independent Councilman Joe Newman.
The Swords-based councilor had accused DAA of “jumping the gun” with the new toll system given plans for a metro system to link Dublin Airport to the city centre.
“There is also no operational need for the toll infrastructure as people have been using the drop-off zones properly for many years,” said Mr Newman.
The new drop-off and pick-up areas are part of plans to upgrade parts of Dublin Airport’s existing road network, including routes to and from the Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 buildings.
It also includes changes to the existing layout of the Express Red Long-Term Car Park at the airport, including the removal of 206 spaces and the development of a time-limited, toll-free waiting zone for 100 vehicles that drop off and pick up passengers.
DAA advisers said the plans are designed to reduce the number of passengers using private vehicles for drop-off and pick-up, and encourage greater use of public transportation and more efficient use of the airport’s road network.
In February 2021, Fingal County Council rejected a previous application from DAA to develop a toll system on a number of grounds, including the loss of long-term parking spaces.
The latest changes will result in a net increase of 100 short-term parking spaces and a net reduction of 220 long-term parking spaces.
DAA said the changes would not violate the permitted capacity of 4,000 short-term spaces and 26,800 long-term spaces at the airport.
The airport operator has already promised that the revenues from the new charging system will be reserved for sustainability initiatives at the airport.
In his statement, An Bord Pleanála said that the proposed changes would not adversely affect the living experience of the area, provided a number of planning conditions are met.
The board said the development would also be acceptable in terms of pedestrian, bicycle and road safety.
It restricted the use of Terminal 2’s above-ground parking garage and toll infrastructure for a temporary period of five years to facilitate planned development of the proposed Metrolink system.
Mr Newman claimed that DAA could have simply used specialist staff to manage the small number of motorists who could cause congestion at drop-off and pick-up zones through stricter enforcement.
The councilor said DAA had chosen “financial interests over the stability and quality of the public domain”.
The best way to ensure that the new toll system does not create congestion at the terminals is to allow a 10-minute free period for vehicles with strict enforcement, according to Mr Newman.
“Such a provision would also enable travelers with accessibility issues, including families with several young children, to use DAA facilities in the safest possible way,” he added.
Mr Newman was supported in his appeal by Fine Gael Senator Emer Currie, who argued that DAA’s proposal would encourage cars to stop outside terminals compared to the current situation where the drop-off zone was used “appropriately and sparingly” to prevent congestion.
Ms Currie said the airport authority had “reduced an Irish tradition of gathering family and friends at the airport or welcoming family home from Christmas to a money grab”.
DAA has been contacted for comment.