Freeflow gets off to smooth start

Fears that a burst water main in the north Wicklow area would lead to a repeat of last week's traffic delays on the first day of Operation Freeflow proved groundless last night as normal congestion was reported.

The water main on the Greystones to Kilcoole Road caused local delays but did not have any major effect on traffic coming from the N11. The M50 was also reported to be experiencing fewer delays than could normally be expected for the evening peak, and AA Roadwatch said Dublin city centre was slightly less congested than normal yesterday.

There were some delays on most approach roads to the city in the morning, mainly due to debris caused by stormy weather.

For many drivers, the most noticeable sign that Operation Freeflow had started was the presence on the streets of 163 probationary gardaí brought in to assist in keeping the traffic moving.

All non-essential roadworks have been halted for the duration of the Christmas shopping season, but work on the building of a third lane on the M50 is to continue.

The Garda said the roadworks, which are limited to daytime hours because of their proximity to homes, would continue "due to contractual and other reasons".

As the evening rush started, some delays were experienced close to the Point, due to a car crash. On Wolfe Tone Quay, there were also delays due again to a crash. However, a spokesman for AA Roadwatch said both crashes, which could have caused major delays, were cleared quickly, probably due to the large Garda presence.

Average levels of congestion were experienced in the Pearse Street-Macken Street area but by 7pm the AA said everything was running normally. A spokesman for the Garda press office said the operation appeared to be working satisfactorily.

Dublin City Council said it had no reports of significant delays and it would continue to monitor the situation. Operation Freeflow will run until January 5th.