THERE is ‘little or no evidence’ that the millions of euros collected by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in toll fees is being invested in West Cork roads, a TD has claimed.

Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins lamented the countless roads badly in need of improvement works including Innishannon, the southern and northern relief road, the Bantry Road, and the road in Allihies that has been closed for six years since a sinkhole exposed a major mine shaft.

He said toll fees which had been repeatedly hiked left some hauliers paying up to €20,000 per month – yet the benefit was not being reaped on the network of roads across West Cork, including the N71.

Deputy Collins said: ‘You cannot take a breath in this country without it being taxed. That is what many people feel. All people see is a government and its agencies such as the TII operating a take, take, take, policy where no amount of toll fees is enough, and no amount of central government taxation is enough.’

The current toll system ‘wastes’ €27million in fuel and emits 45,000 tonnes of CO2 annually, according to the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA).

Deputy Collins supports the IRHA’s call for barrier-free tolling and exemptions.

Deputy Collins said his Independent Ireland party colleagues, Cllrs John Collins and Daniel Sexton, are ‘consistently highlighting these matters and bringing forward workable solutions only to be confronted by a system that jus cannot find the interest in getting the work done’.

He continued: ‘The same is true for the works needed at Owenahincha Cross turn off, which Cllr Sexton is again working on, including the new road alignments to Newmills. I could go on forever.’

He concluded: ‘We need a major revamp of how we approach the roads network in this country, and we have to start seeing a demonstrable return for the taxes and tolls that people are handing day in and day out.’