17/07/2000 Immediate Release

WEST LINK TOLL INCREASE HURTFUL MOVE

MAG Ireland strongly objects to the proposed increase in tolls for commercial vehicles on the West Link bridge.

"Commercial vehicles today; cars and motorcycles tomorrow, as this cash cow lurches forward trampling money out of hard pressed motorists and business owners who have no alternative but use the bridge", is how MAG Chairman, Herb Finnegan, describes the situation.

"This toll bridge is a prime example of how toll roads act to the detriment of the motoring public and the community at large. The users are captive, with little alternative. It is evident from the financial reports of NTR (£23.2million gross, £13.9million pre-tax profit in 1998, and £4.6million to the State) that the bridge is operated for pure profit motive and has nothing to do with traffic management or transport policy", Mr Finnegan continued.

MAG Ireland opposes any general use of road tolls in this country, however implemented. We believe them to be an anachronistic, inefficient means of financing road development and maintenance. They are detrimental to traffic flow and victimise people whose work involves them in an above average amount of road travel.

In addition, widespread use of toll roads or bridges only serve to exacerbate congestion problems, as has been the experience with the East and West link bridges since their implementation.

Finally, MAG Ireland insists that motorcycles should be recognised as an environmentally friendly mode of transport, the increased use of which would vastly reduce damage to the infrastructure. As such, motorcycling should be encouraged by exemption from tolls.

The Irish Motorcyclists Action Group (MAG Ireland) represents over 5,000 motorcyclists in Ireland and is affiliated to FEMA, the European umbrella group of motorcyclist representative organisations. MAG Ireland was recently instrumental in improving insurance choice for motorcyclists, publishing a safety booklet which was distributed by the Department of the Environment and Local Government, and in leading the way toward the development of more motorcycle training instructors.