LORRIES TRUNDLE ON AS TRUCKERS FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL
Despite the new bypass there is still an increasing volume of traffic travelling through Fermoy each day creating hold ups, severe congestion and damage to the road surface.
As heavily laden lorries continue to make their way in and out of the town, this is, in itself, a necessary part of business life, but the chaos that it brings has left many locals angry. Residents of Fermoy have expressed their dissatisfaction at the fact that these lorries and trucks still come through the town.
One local, in conversation with The Avondhu, posed the question - “What is the point of the bypass if it isn’t being used?”
APPEAL TO HAULAGE COMPANIES
Fermoy Mayor Noel McCarthy spoke to The Avondhu on the incessant build up of lorries and trucks through the town.
“Fermoy is suffering as a result of these lorries avoiding the toll. Our town can take no more of it, people rushing to school with their kids, and others on their way to work are still caught up in heavy traffic each morning. I am appealing to all the haulage companies to please use the toll.”
However, it is a widely known fact that haulage companies, burdened by high taxes and rocketing fuel prices, are, in many cases, fighting for their very survival. The Avondhu spoke with the president of the Irish Road Haulage Association Vincent Caulfield on the fact that lorries are still coming through Fermoy to avoid the toll.
“Drivers of these lorries have to go somewhere to take a break. There are no service stops between Dublin and Cork, so drivers need some place they can stop off for a coffee and a break,” he said.
HIGHTEST ROAD TAX IN EUROPE
Mr Caulfield continued, “Also, hauliers have to pay road tax, fuel duty, a carbon levy and business taxes. Hauliers in this country are paying the highest level of road tax in Europe and are also at the top of the league in terms of fuel duty and carbon tax. Diesel prices are very high in this country.
"We have contacted Direct Route to look at the possibility of a reduction for lorries using both tolls on a daily basis but there is nothing on offer. We were told ‘the tolls would get the required volume of transport without having to offer a reduction’.
"The carbon tax is really a botched attempt to reduce the levels of carbon emissions and our members believe that it is simply a new mechanism for collecting tax rather than a genuine initiative to protect the environment,” he added.
At a charge of up to €6 to go through the tolls, one way, it is hardly surprising that lorries continue to avoid using them, instead opting to use the route that was meant to be bypassed.
Published:
Thursday 17th June 5:41pm
