Sir, - Over the past six months the traffic approaching the M50 Toll Bridge has become extremely bad. I join the M50 at the Red Cow Roundabout each evening at about 5.45 p.m. The lane of traffic goes back almost to Newlands Cross. When I arrive at the M50, I am in a solid traffic jam until the toll bridge is cleared. Obviously the hold-up is caused by the toll booths, because once cleared the traffic moves freely on either side.
Now it has been announced that the toll charges are to be increased to pay for a new bridge opening in 2003. We are now going to pay for the bridge before it opens and we will spend hours in traffic jams for this "privilege".
May I suggest if the toll booths were eliminated we would not have a problem, and we would not need a second bridge. It is obvious that the toll booths are built too close to the bridge and there are not enough of them to cope with the traffic. On this basis this company cannot fulfil its obligation to provide the motorist with a satisfactorily service; the tolls should be abolished until they can. We are too quiet. - Yours, etc.,
Gerry Diggins, Templeroan Avenue, Knocklyon, Dublin 16.