Truckers warn that disruption is just a start

TRUCKERS who held a protest around Dublin port yesterday have warned that the disruption is just a taste of what is to come.

More than 100 lorries staged two separate slow moving convoys on both sides of the East-link toll bridge,

The blockade came after months of dispute involving hauliers and the Department of Transport over charges for crossing the bridge.

The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) claims it was promised the e4.80 toll would be scrapped for members of the haulage industry, who will have no option but to use the bridge when the port tunnel opens later this year. The bridge is also the only route they can use to access a major container handling company on the south bank quay.

The demonstration, from 7am to 10am, was described as its largest protest ever in the capital. Motorists had been warned to avoid the area.

“By and large the protest went well,” said IRHA spokesman Jimmy Quinn. “We had a big turnout of people and our problem was keeping people away so we could keep it manageable.

“The traffic was no worse than normal, but people were well warned about it and had options, which is more than we are going to have when the Port Tunnel opens later this year.

“We are looking for results from the Government. We have to get a solution to this problem. This issue is not going to go away and it has to be addressed.”

Mr Quinn said a toll in the middle of Dublin Port is not viable for hauliers and accused the Department of Transport of failing them and going back on its promise to remove the toll. He also hit out at a Dublin City Council report which suggested the tolls be reviewed in the coming years.