'Toll holiday' to relieve traffic pressure in Slane?

While proposals for a ‘toll holiday’ for trucks on routes across the country, received a cautious welcome in Slane this week, local residents are still adamant that a bypass is the only real solution to the village’s horrific traffic problems.
Transport Minister, Leo Varadkar, last week announced a one month toll-holiday for HGVs in November to encourage use of the motorway network. 
The Minister mentioned Slane village and the fact that the toll holiday would be an opportunity to see how much of the traffic passing through Slane each day, were doing so to avoid tolls.
The Bypass Slane Campaign has cautiously welcomed  the proposal.
Spokesperson, Michele Power said; “While all exploration of measures to improve road safety in Slane are to be welcomed, it seems highly likely that only a relatively small proportion of the total traffic through Slane would be affected by this proposed measure and would only partially address the problem.
“The fact remains that the N2 through Slane is unfit for purpose as a national route and continues to pose significant dangers to all road users in the village. A bypass remains the only permanent solution to this problem.”
Cllr Wayne Harding said the village of Slane needs a permanent solution to the safety and congestion issues arising from truckers and other motorists coming through the town to avoid the toll.
“I think there will be quite a lot of scepticism about the Minister’s plan. Many people involved in the campaign for the Slane bypass know that there will be significant relief for the town during this period but the safety concerns and congestion will only return once the toll holiday is over.”
“It is welcome that Slane village will be an immensely safer place for the month of November, but the simple fact of the matter is that Slane needs a permanent solution.  What happens on the 1st of December?  Are we expected to go back to a situation where residents fear the worst and more lives are in danger?” he asked.
Deputy, Helen McEntee welcomed the proposal.
She said that while securing a bypass for Slane remains the top priority, the proposal would be a step in the right direction for the village in the short term.
She said that Minister Varadkar had listened to the concerns expressed by her and her colleagues around the country about the detrimental impact HGVs are having on regional and local roads, which they are using in order to avoid tolls.
“In Slane, we are all very familiar with the hugely negative effect this is having on the village. HGV traffic is also contributing to the deteriorating condition of smaller roads, something which is again a particular problem in Meath.
“The Minister’s proposal is aiming to establish whether trucks will start using our motorways more often if we change the current tolling regime. This is at least a step in the right direction for Slane village, as it would alleviate the HGV problem in the short term. “However, this will not dissuade me from continuing to work towards the ultimate aim of securing a bypass.'