M50 protest set to cause major delays
Hundreds of trucks are today expected to wreak havoc on the already badly congested M50 in a protest over road tolls.
Authorities are warning of huge delays as a breakaway band of lorry drivers plan to block key sections of the notorious ring road around Dublin.
The Road Transport Association (RTA) insist they were forced into the action, which will spell further misery for commuters, because of a city centre ban on five-axle trucks.
They have called for the lifting of the tolls on the M50 and the appointment of an industry regulator.
The major demonstration does not have the support of the Irish Road Hauliers Association (IRHA), which has said it would inconvenience ordinary commuters.
Up to 300 trucks are expected to be involved in the protest which will see the blocking of one lane on both the northbound and southbound sections near the Westlink toll bridge from 6am.
They also intend to mount a rolling protest at Dublin Port from 5am with trucks driving at minimal speed.
On February 19, Dublin City Council banned all trucks with five axles or more from travelling along Dublin’s quays, forcing them on to the Port Tunnel and M50.
The RTA argues that the HGV strategy has led to major hold-ups on both the north and southbound carriageways, delays which are hampering hauliers in completing their work.
