Sir, – A review of the efficiency and extent of bus lanes in Dublin similar to that carried out in Liverpool as suggested by Frank Greaney (October 18th) sounds like a useful exercise. I’m certainly aware of several locations where their presence and times of operation is now questionable. However, there is another aspect of Dublin traffic movement that also needs urgent review – traffic lights.
Dublin, compared to similar UK and continental cities, has an extraordinary amount of traffic light locations; and at some of these locations an even more extraordinary number of individual light fittings.
Recently, while stopped at red lights at a Dublin quays junction, I counted 11 displays where two had successfully maintained order for decades.
Furthermore all these were on stainless steel poles and brackets which are seriously expensive compared to traditional galvanised or painted ones – and more suited to Dubai’s budget than Dublin’s.
Occasionally one encounters traffic light failures, with common sense and courtesy keeping the traffic moving. Perhaps it would be worth seeing what would happen to traffic if some lights were turned off as an experiment? Chaos or improvement?
I think we may be surprised and save a fair bit of electricity as a bonus.
Something else that happens in the Liverpool area is the operation of some sets of traffic at rush hour only or as required.
Maybe our 33rd county is pointing the way to move? – Yours, etc,
DAVID REDDY,
Dublin 4.