‘Teething problems’ expected on M50

MOTORISTS have been warned to expect “teething” problems as drivers become used to the barrier-free system on the M50.

However, registered drivers with the new system will not be penalised after barriers are lifted at midnight this Friday.

The Dublin motorway will become the country’s first barrier-free toll road this weekend.

Motorists can either register with the new eFlow system where €2 is deducted each time they pass a toll or buy toll credit in shops and pay €3 for every journey.

Cameras will monitor vehicle licence plates on the M50 and the electronic tags of registered users in vehicles.

Following complaints that drivers have still not received tags in the post ahead of the removal of barriers, road chiefs said registered drivers will not face penalties.

“In the event that one or two of them don’t get delivered because of postal delays, they are already registered with us. Using the number plates, they will be treated as if the tag was already mounted in the vehicle. We can guarantee that all those people will not be subject to penalties at all,” said Hugh Creegan of the National Road Authority (NRA).

Motorists can buy toll credit in more than 1,000 Payzone stores nationwide, including Spar, Centra and SuperValu as well as service stations. “You can do a transaction the same in Belmullet the same as you can do in Grafton Street,” explained Jim Deignan of Payzone.

Motorists who do not pay have until 8pm on the following day to pay a €3 pay-as-you-go toll either online or through selected stores.

But they face additional penalties and potential prosecution if payment is not made by the deadline.

The system is described as identical to the British congestion charge system. Consumers give their licence plate numbers to shopkeepers and within seconds credit is allocated to the vehicle.

The NRA said it expected teething problems while the system is phased in. More than 250,000 motorists have so far registered for it.

Despite truck drivers protesting about charges, the NRA says it will pursue those who fail to pay.

The removal of the barriers on the M50 will begin on Saturday and is expected to take between eight and nine weeks. A speed limit of 60km/h will operate at the M50 Westlink crossing for the next few months as the toll plaza is removed.

The NRA defended the charging of drivers on the M50 yesterday saying €1 billion in customer payments is being used to upgrade the motorway for its 100,000 daily users.

* For more information on the barrier-free tolling system ring 1890-501050 or check www.eflow.ie.