25 April 2002 Edition
Anti-toll petition submitted to NRA
David Cullinane, Sinn Féin general election candidate for Waterford, submitted a 5,000-strong petition to the National Roads Authority on Wednesday, 24 April, opposing the introduction of a toll on the planned second river crossing for Waterford.
"This petition is the result of weeks of knocking on doors and explaining to people our concerns in relation to any toll," he said. "We believe the introduction of such a toll would represent a blatant double taxation on the people of Waterford and its environs. It is a disgraceful economic strategy which serves no purpose only to create traffic bottlenecks at poll pay points to financially benefit the toll bridge provider.
"The people of Waterford deserve better. After a decade when Waterford motorists have endured wasted hours queuing to get across one bridge into the city, we are now expected to pay at the gate of the long overdue second bridge. The introduction of such a toll will be inevitable if this government is returned to power.
"Sinn Féin and the people of Waterford are sending a very strong message to this government. Ordinary motorists must not be scapegoated to pay for an essential service that should be provided to people without charge."
"This petition is the result of weeks of knocking on doors and explaining to people our concerns in relation to any toll," he said. "We believe the introduction of such a toll would represent a blatant double taxation on the people of Waterford and its environs. It is a disgraceful economic strategy which serves no purpose only to create traffic bottlenecks at poll pay points to financially benefit the toll bridge provider.
"The people of Waterford deserve better. After a decade when Waterford motorists have endured wasted hours queuing to get across one bridge into the city, we are now expected to pay at the gate of the long overdue second bridge. The introduction of such a toll will be inevitable if this government is returned to power.
"Sinn Féin and the people of Waterford are sending a very strong message to this government. Ordinary motorists must not be scapegoated to pay for an essential service that should be provided to people without charge."