Sir, - Mr John Mahony of the Dublin Transport Office, in reply (September 10th) to your editorial criticism of Operation Freeflow, states that it is a year-round campaign which is operating successfully. This often frustrated commuter cannot agree. I suggest to Mr Mahony that he tune into AA Roadwatch to hear ample evidence of blocked clearways, obstructed bus lanes, illegally-parked trucks, etc. In addition, Mr Mahony states that outside the canal cordon "Freeflow can only have a marginal effect and no amount of money thrown at the problem will change that." Does this mean that the roads of the remainder of Dublin city and county will not be policed properly during peak traffic times?
Mr Mahony suggests that a "more responsible attitude by the motoring public and a shift to public transport would help the situation." First, I would contend that the vast majority of drivers already have a "responsible attitude". Freeflow was designed presumably to deal with the minority of drivers who believe that rules are there for everyone else to obey. Second, I suggest that many more people would use public transport during the rush hours if it was more efficient than at present. I know that I would.
Undoubtedly, proper management of road traffic can be only a part of the solution to Dublin's chronic transport problems. But if Freeflow is not enforced rigorously by the responsible authorities, then what confidence can the people of Dublin have that the same authorities will do any better in solving the rest of the problem? - Yours, etc.,
The Park, Cabinteely, Dublin 18.