Press Releases
Government should cover cost of M50 toll for one week - O'Malley
Progressive Democrats press office
August 1, 2006
Government should cover cost of M50 toll as a temporary measure - O'Malley
Dun Laoghaire TD Fiona O'Malley says the Government should experiment with covering the cost of the M50 toll bridge for a week to find out whether or not the toll itself is causing enormous traffic jams.
The Progressive Democrats Deputy said radical solutions must be sought to the predicament faced by many thousands of motorists caught in traffic backlogs on the motorway every day.
"We all blame the toll for delays. If - and I stress if - the Government is contemplating buying out the West-Link toll plaza at an estimated cost of around €1 billion, it would be a good idea to try buying it out for a week. This would facilitate a wise and informed decision by Government," she said.
"There has to be a solution to the apparently ever-increasing traffic jams. National Toll Roads has consistently claimed that the M50 toll is not to blame. Others have disagreed. If the Government was to cover the costs for seven days, we would know once and for all if this is the case. It is galling to think that the cause of the congestion is queuing-up to pay the toll. If this is the reason it certainly needs to be eliminated."
Deputy O'Malley said a solution to a 'stationary' M50 must be a priority for Government. It was stressful for commuters and bad for business, and the search for a remedy to the apparently ever-increasing problem should not be put on the long finger.
"I am suggesting a practical value-for-money way of finding out what is happening. Rather than relying on expensive consultants' reports, I believe this is the most realistic method of assessing the impact of removing the toll."
For further information please contact Mary Minihan in the Progressive Democrats press office on 01-6183615 or 087-1225140. Many thanks.