Sir, – Finbar Casey (October 25th) asks whether the toll to use the East Link Bridge across the Liffey is “never ending”. I’m afraid it is, certainly if the situation here in the UK is anything to go by. In all developed societies, the motorist is seen as a significant cash cow, and this philosophy is epitomised here on Merseyside, with its two road tunnels under the Mersey. The older of the two was built in 1934 (by the sweat and toil of many an Irishman I suspect) with the proviso that the toll introduced at that time would be discontinued once the cost was recouped. That day passed decades ago and we now pay £1.50 a time for the privilege of using both tunnels, which many consider should be an integral part of the national road network anyway.
Talk of discontinuing the tolls on the tunnels is obviously not on the agenda, but raising the current levy most certainly is. – Yours, etc,