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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Michelle Cullen

People dropping off or collecting family and friends from Dublin Airport to be slapped with new fee

People dropping off and collecting friends and family from Dublin Airport will now have to pay a fee to do so.

The airport's operator was given the go-ahead to create a paid drop off and pick up zone on Monday.

Fingal County Council granted planning permission to DAA to change internal roads to allow for the new infrastructure and the introduction of the paid zones at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

An airport spokesman said the decision to charge motorists to drop-off and collect family members and friends is part of its sustainability agenda.

They said on Tuesday: "As part of our 'sustainability' agenda, the new system aims to reduce car journeys to and from the airport and to encourage passengers to make greater use of public transport.

Dublin airport (gettyimages.ie)

"Commercial funds raised by the new system will be ringfenced for sustainability initiatives at the airport, including a proposed solar farm, the conversion of our car park and staff shuttle bus fleet from diesel to low emission vehicles and the installation of more electric vehicle charging points.

"A free drop-off and pick up option will continue to be available after the new zones have been introduced at a new dedicated area in the Express Red long-term car park.

"There will be special provisions for people with reduced mobility."

Construction on the new plans is not expected to commence until the second half of 2022.

The paid zones will use Automated Number Plate Recognition cameras to read a vehicle's plate upon entry and again at the exit, and a charge will be made in accordance with the length of time the car has spent inside.

Planning consultants for DAA said the new scheme would result in more efficient access to T1 and T2.

Coakley O'Neill Town Planning said the proposals would result in a more coordinated, controlled and efficient management of passenger drop-off and pick-up.

A previous DAA drop-off and pick-up planning proposal was rejected by Fingal County Council 13 months ago.

In the revised scheme, DAA addressed the two refusal points, which included the loss of long term car-parking.

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