21/09/2007

West Link Toll Charge Set To Rise

Motorists using the M50 toll bridge on Dublin's West Link will have to pay an additional 10c from next year.

The National Roads Authority announced that the toll will increase from €1.90 to €2 from January next year.

Those with a registered debit account will be charged 2.50 euros, while motorists with neither a pre-paid tag or account with be charged 3 euros.

The toll bridge is used by more than 100,000 motorists each day.

The new toll charges have been criticised by Labour's Transport spokesperson Tommy Broughan. He said: "National Toll Roads have made astronomical profits from operating the M50 toll bridge as drivers have had to endure daily delays and massive gridlock at the bridge. There is no realistic public transport alternative for the majority of M50 users and Irish motorists are in effect being held to ransom at this location with the imposition of these disgraceful price hikes.

"Since the establishment of the M50 there has always been a huge question mark over the financial necessity of imposing charges on a ring-road around our capital city as many orbital ring-roads in other European cities are toll free.

"The strong suspicion also remains among many motorists that the new charging system announced today is just a precursor to the introduction of full road pricing along the M50."

(KMcA)

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