| The new mayor for Dublin will be
the main driver of traffic-management plans - which could include
the introduction of congestion charges - and transport plans
for the capital.
The mayor will also link up development and transport in
the greater Dublin area, the Irish Independent has
learned.
By combining land-use plans with transport plans, it is hoped
that the mayor can ensure new houses and businesses are built
near transport links - such as train and bus routes - rather
than in the middle of nowhere.
He or she will also be able to decide if roads should be
tolled and whether there should be a roll out, or moratorium,
on speed limits.
It is also envisaged that he or she will be able to direct
that the number of DART or bus services be increased or decreased.
Details are still being finalised, but it is understood that
the mayor will chair the advisory council of the National
Transport Authority (NTA),
formerly the Dublin Transport Authority.
At present, the board of the NTA can decide to accept or
reject the council's decisions, but it is envisaged that the
strength of the mayor's mandate will make that impossible.
"They wouldn't really be able to say 'No' to someone with
a mandate from an area with a population of 1.2m people,"
a source said.
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey said last year it was inevitable
that congestion charges would be brought in for Dublin within
two to three years.
Source - The Irish Independent
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