Sir, - With the appalling vista of total traffic gridlock in Dublin city now almost upon us, it came as a mild surprise to read of Mr John Henry, chief executive of the Dublin Transportation Office, cheerfully admitting that "some aspects of the DTI were wrong".
The incorrect aspects appear to be the figures on which the DTI based its recommendations. It seems that the figures are now five years out of date.
The somewhat novel approach to the discovery of this basic flaw is to push for the immediate, full implementation of the (incorrectly based) DTI conclusions. This is somewhat akin to Albert Einstein saying that some of his figures weren't the best, but he had to press ahead anyway.
Sadly, this vaudevillian performance comes as no surprise to those who drive through or around the city and who are well used to dealing with the fallout from various madcap schemes concocted by "professional" planners. It now appears that no two statutory bodies even know each other's telephone numbers, and that there exists no spirit of cooperation between the city authority and any other body with a need for efficient movement in the capital.
It is now obvious that the whole premise of the DTI recommendation is untenable. If the authorities persist in trying to force these "flawed pedigree" plans through, then we are facing an even worse time, as a fire brigade action will be necessary to save the day. Concentrated and resolute action of a co ordinated nature must be undertaken at once. This means that all of the relevant administrative and operational bodies should be forced to face up to the reality of the situation and implement the necessary changes straightaway.
If we are to be spared any more Third World sights such as Dublin Corporation's annual attempt to try to force motorists into obeying the rules of the road in the St Stephen's Green area, then Mr Henry and his merry men must descend from the ivory tower and at least consider some of the alternative and wider reaching solutions which are now beginning to surface. - yours, etc,
(bus driver),
Belgard, Tallaght,
Dublin 24.