Sir, - Over the past couple of months concern was expressed to the Dublin Docklands Development Authority about the smells and possible health risks due to the decontamination of the former gasworks at the Grand Canal Docks. The recent protests held at the site, which forced the DDDA to clean up its act, have been laudable, but may have been misdirected. The biggest health hazard to people living near the Grand Canal Docks is the proposed four-lane Liffey bridge at Macken Street.The environmental impact study for this bridge suggests traffic pollution in the area will rise by at least 20 per cent. The bridge will be used to carry heavy goods vehicles from Dublin Port southbound, via the residential areas of Macken Street, Shelbourne Road and Pearse Street. In this part of the inner city asthma and chest infections in children have risen to a chronic level, in line with the growth in traffic pollution. The proposed Macken Street Bridge will turn an unhealthy, situation into a hazardous one. If a bridge is to be built, it must be for public transport only.Dublin Corporation's policy is to keep cars out and encourage public transport, yet it is planning to build more roads over the Liffey at Macken Street, Blackhall Place, the Port Tunnel and a new West Link! In the past 20 years four major bridges were built over the Liffey.
Each was meant to have reduced gridlock, but congestion and pollution have got steadily worse. Four more bridges are now planned. They too will only hasten Dublin's demise to having the air quality and traffic congestion of a Third World city. Public transport is the only sustainable alternative. Plans for Macken Street Bridge and other road projects should be mothballed until we have a proper public transport network in place. -Yours, etc.,John Devlin, Erne Terrace, Dublin 2.