Tolls on the M50 are like an "illegal tax" that people are forced to pay, one Lunchtime Live listener has insisted.

Jim in Kilkenny was speaking after it was announced that motorway tolls will increase for drivers across the country from next month.

The M50 and eight other routes will see an increase from July 1st.

Jim said this was inevitable after privatisation.

"The Government privatised the motorway network... and it's the nature of business," he said.

"You can whinge all you like, but there's nothing the motorists can do about it.

"The price will go up and it'll be forgotten about in a month".

'It's like the VRT'

Jim said there should be no toll on the M50 as most of its users are commuters.

"Motorways cost a lot to maintain, so I have no problem with tolls on motorways," he said.

"But with regards to the M50 there should be no toll on that.

"It's like the VRT - it's a grey area - it's an illegal tax but they're getting away with it.

"95% of the people that's using the M50 are commuters so there should be no charge on that".

'Greens have declared war'

Pat in Galway said the toll charges should be abolished once a road is paid for.

"It's the same old story: the motorist gets a kicking once again," he said.

"No one backs the motorists - Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael - none of them.

"The Greens have declared war on the motorists.

"In a way I sort of blame the motorists; we should organise and rare up and say to the Government, 'We're not taking it anymore'.

"That's not going to happen, it seems.

"When the M50 was built, I think it was Garret Fitzgerald or Charlie Haughey who said when it was finished it would be free as a gift to the Irish people.

"Well no more than the USC, that didn't materialise did it?"

Road signs for the M50 and Dublin Airport are seen in November 2010. Picture by: Radharc Images / Alamy Stock Photo

Annette in Tuam said she has to travel to the airport quite often.

"All my family live abroad so I've no choice," she said.

"I have three tolls going to Dublin Airport and three tolls coming back.

"I feel Dublin Airport has a lot to answer for as well - because Shannon Airport is ideal for people in the west, and we wouldn't need half as much of the travel that we do.

"One of the boys lives in Norway, and once the road is paid for the toll is gone," she added.

Main image: A file photo of traffic on the M50 motorway. Picture by: Leon Farrell/RollingNews.ie