Election candidate opposes Shannon Tunnel tolling

Sinn Fein General Election candidate in Limerick Maurice Quinlivan has today reiterated his continuing opposition to the planned introduction of tolling for the new Shannon Tunnel development.

The Limerick Tunnel Scheme will incorporate a fourth crossing of the River Shannon in the environs of Limerick city and will involve an immersed tube tunnel, linking the townland of Coonagh, on the northern bank, with the townland of Bunlicky on the southern bank of the Shannon. It will be similar to the Jack Lynch Tunnel in Cork(above).

Mr. Quinlivan explained,

“Whilst I welcome the government's decision to buy out the tolls on the M50 to provide some relief to hard pressed Dublin commuters, it seems bizarre that Limerick motorists will soon be forced to pay tolls to use the Shannon tunnel.

The policy of tolling motorists has been a disaster in Dublin and the government should not repeat this mistake at the expense of Limerick and Clare motorists. Will we be in a similar situation in a number of years where a future government will have to similarly buy out the Shannon Tunnel at huge expense?"

He goes on,

"The fact that Limerick will have to pay for a tunnel lies in stark contrast to our Cork cousins and the Toll-free Jack Lynch Tunnel. Once again we are treated as poor relations despite the presence of a Limerick Minister at the Cabinet Table. It's simply not good enough"

It is alleged that the €372m project will remove unnecessary through traffic from the local road network, thereby reducing congestion and improving environmental standards and safety.