Slapping toll on Jack Lynch Tunnel a bad idea

I WELCOME and support fully the very strong opposition by Cork Chamber to the introduction of tolls on the Jack Lynch Tunnel.

The NRA suggests doubling the number of tolled roads, with new charges recommended on eight routes across the State, including a toll at the Jack Lynch Tunnel.

In October last, there was much press coverage about additional road tolls to include the Jack Lynch Tunnel, Limerick to Cork road and the Youghal and Ballincollig bypasses, under recommendations to the Government to raise additional revenue. At that time, supported by the members of Cork County Council, I protested strongly to these proposals, when a letter was sent to the NRA with the request that an NRA official attend a future meeting of the council to discuss the said proposals. There has been no response, to date, to that request. The tunnel was designed primarily to divert traffic away from the city centre. If tolls had been placed on the tunnel, it would have defeated the purpose for which it was built, with very damaging environmental repercussions.