After six years of chequered success, this year's Operation Freeflow facesgreater challenges than ever - Ian Noctor reports on some ofthe problems blocking the traffic flow.
Operation Freeflow's chequered success since its inception in 1997 will be tested even further this year. Dublin Transportation Office's plan to manage and control the capital's increase in traffic around the Christmas period was launched on Monday and runs until January 6th. However, unlike previous years, this year Freeflow does not have the benefit of the "Park and Ride" scheme which provided free parking for motorists in Dublin's suburbs and regular bus services from the parking locations to the city centre.
Two park and ride facilities which were available to the public during Operation Freeflow since its inception, will not be in use this year. On Dublin's northside the former park and ride site in Whitehall is no longer available as a builder is now developing it. The RDS on the southside of the capital is not available as it's the location for the Christmas on Ice event that runs until January 11th, 2004.
The lack of park and ride facilities will, however, be partially offset by the extra capacity being laid on by Dublin Bus at the weekends. The AA's Conor Faughnan says, "The lack of park and ride is something of a disappointment. Possibly a way could have been found to provide alternative sites for the facility. The moratorium on work on major strategic projects should mean fewer delays but it's a case of 'Hold your breath'."
As in recent years all non-essential works by utility companies will be suspended during the period of Operation Freeflow. While much of the Luas works in the Greater Dublin Area will be suspended over the period, city centre work, which has added to the commuting problems in the city, will continue. Work will go on during the Christmas rush on the section of the light rail system around St Stephen's Green and Harcourt St, although the gardaí have been instructed to keep a minimum of two lanes open to traffic at all times.
The North inner city will continue to be disrupted. Work on the line from Connolly Station through Abbey St to Parkgate St will also continue. However, all rail and concrete deliveries to be carried out at night, while overhead cabling at Naas Rd is to be carried out at night only.
Negotiations between city centre traders' organisations, the Department of Transport and Irish Rail have secured a suspension of the weekend Dart stoppages from the South side of the capital in the run-up to Christmas.
But between December 27th and January 4th Christmas sales shoppers will have to find alternative modes of transport into the city, while essential platform upgrading work is carried out.Declan Martin of Dublin Chamber of Commerce says, " We're not happy about this, but following some tense meetings with Irish Rail this is the best we could achieve." Dublin City Council has made provision for free parking in the city centre every evening after 5 p.m. and all day Sunday, in contrast to recent years when its aim was to minimise cars coming into the city centre.
Consultation between the DTO, Dublin City Council, Irish Rail, Dublin Bus, the gardaí and the city's traders has been good this year, according to Declan Martin who has praised the council for its decision to suspend parking charges and also for its consideration of proposals to open its own car park underneath its offices on Wood Quay to the public. "The ongoing Luas works and the lack of park and ride facilities this year are far from ideal. But we all have to dig a little deeper to try to find ways of solving those problems. The council's decision to suspend parking charges at certain times and its consideration of opening Wood Quay car park are to be welcomed."
As in previous years the gardaí are drafting in 140 probationary gardaí from the Garda Training College in Templemore to help keep traffic moving. Over 300 gardaí and the Air Support Unit will be deployed for the duration of the Operation. Assistant Commissioner and chairman of Operation Freeflow NC Smith says "Operation Freeflow's success in recent years is well recognised and we expect continuing public co-operation to maintain the standard this year".
Meanwhile, Garda powers to detain suspected drunk drivers have been increased dramatically.
Gardaí may now carry out random breath testing on any motorist involved in a collision or caught committing a road offence no matter how minor. Currently 14,000 motorists a year are breath tested.
The Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan has signalled his intention to increase that number to half a million or one in three drivers within the year.
"The position of drink driving remains worryingly unacceptable. I am determined to bring about a sustained culture change in relation to drink driving and our attitude to it as a nation," says the minister, adding that a move to full random breath testing will be introduced in the new year.