tom@TheCork.ie
There are renewed concerns that a toll might be introduced on the Jack Lynch Tunnel
Contained within the 89 pages of the Cork City Council budget book for 2014 is a paragraph saying that €6 million was spent this year on “Automatic Number plate recognition cameras”, along with an upgraded voice communication system.
ANPR cameras are already used on Dublin’s M50 West Link Bridge for barrier-free tolling.
In Cork, it’s understood the cameras were installed around March or April of this year.
The technology could also be used – in theory – to issue speeding fines. However, the National Roads Authority have consistently said tolls are a matter of Government policy.
Given that a local and European election will take place next May, any move to introduce a toll, if on the cards, would have to be delayed until the Summer at the earliest.
Cork Chamber, Cork Business Association, and a majority of City and County Councillors have previously indicated they are against tolls on the tunnel.
Cork’s Jack Lynch Tunnel is named after a former Taoiseach who hailed from Leeside (pictured). However, any move to toll the artery would rest uneasily with voters of today.