County Councils likely to lose thousands to toll companies

Two local authorities may lose thousands of euros in rates after Celtic Road Group, the consortium which works the M1 toll plaza, appealed the amount it must pay.

Meath County Council has said that it may have to pay up to EU500,000 for 2005 to North Link M1 Ltd (Celtic Roads Group CRG) in relation to the toll plaza on the M1 motorway at Gormanstown.

The first valuation meant that the council got around E900,000 in rates from the company that year. This was appealed and later reduced. Another appeal resulted in the case coming before the Valuations Tribunal. This found in favour of CRG. The Valuation Office has given a case to the High Court.

Louth County Council could lose over E200,000 if CRG is successful in appealing the rates. The group has been given the contract for the Waterford bypass.