toll collector, with change given, while some lanes are equipped with automatic coin machines. The easiest and fastest way to pay tolls is by electronic tag. There are two toll plazas along the bypass. A mainline toll plaza near Watergrasshill at the southern end of the Project Road is equipped with six lanes in each direction, one being an express lane solely reserved for use with electronic tags. Five lanes in each direction allow for manual payment with two lanes are additionally equipped with automatic coin machines (only for the use by cars). All lanes are capable of accepting electronic tags. The ramp toll plaza at the Corrin interchange has two lanes in each direction, where tolls can be paid manually or by electronic tag. One lane in each direction is additionally equipped with a double height automatic coin machine suitable for both trucks and cars, which will give change. With the country in recession and austerity budgets leaving people with less and less disposable income, people are extremely reluctant to pay tolls, even if they are saving them money in the long run. It might be illogical, but the majority of people would rather use up the petrol or diesel in their tank than hand over another €1.90 or €6.00 at a toll booth. “There is a definite lack of traffic due to the economic circumstances that prevail in Ireland,” Wilko confirms. “”Fuel prices are also hitting people’s pockets hard and they don’t want to pay any more. There are serious benefits to use the M8 rather than the backroads, however, especially for hauliers. “But there is a nationwide fall in the volume of traffic on the roads. We are getting an average of approx. 14,500 vehicles per day, which is on the lower end of our projection. We would certainly welcome more traffic on the road.” The Maintenance and incident response of the road is subcontracted to Lagan Projects who now have more than 6 years of experience on the project road. “It is also worth remembering that a toll plaza is a 24-hour business and Direct Route (Fermoy) employs more than 50 people including direct and indirect employees. This is a massive contribution to the local economy, which people don’t see. But that’s what’s going on behind the scenes – a 24-hour economy. By using the M8 and paying the toll, people can not only save time and money themselves but they can also help keep others in work and provide a boost to the local economy.”
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