24 August 2016
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Cork Senator Tim Lombard
Fine Gael Cork Senator, Tim Lombard, has spoken out against a proposal to close the express lane at the Portlaoise toll plaza on the Cork to Dublin motorway, saying it will not solve the current impasse and will be a huge inconvenience to commuters and businesses.
“As regular users of the Cork- Dublin motorway will know, eFlow has announced that from the end of August their eFlow tags will no longer work at toll plazas operated by the Celtic Roads Group (CRG).
“The companies involved in this dispute need to re-engage in talks to overcome the current impasse. There is still time to solve this problem in the interests of all concerned, not least the regular users of the road.
“A proposal by CRG that they would close the express lane at the Portlaoise toll plaza on the motorway simply will not do. This would cause massive delays and inconvenience commuters and businesses using the road.
“eFlow tags were purchased by people and companies on the understanding that they could use the express lanes to speed up their commute or delivery times in the case of businesses. This must remain the case. Motorists cannot contend with two different methods of payment, nor can they be expected to queue in traffic while an express lane remains closed.
“I am urging eFlow and Celtic Roads Group to resolve this dispute as a matter of urgency before the end of August deadline.”
