A survey by consulting firm Deloitte has suggested that road pricing is now a 'real likelihood' in Dublin.
According to the survey, 72% of European cities see road pricing as an effective way of managing and reducing congestion.
Deloitte forecasts that gridlock in Western Europe will almost treble on urban roads by 2010. The study says that in OECD countries alone, the cost of gridlock equals nearly 3% of GDP.
Deloitte's David Hearn points out that the Government has sanctioned park-and-ride charges of around €4 a day for LUAS users. 'They may need to introduce a counterbalance by charging road users who continue to come into Dublin,' he says.
Referring to London's congestion charge, introduced early last year, Mr Hearn says average traffic speeds have risen by 37% and congestion is down 40% in the city since the charge came in.
