Motorists in Dublin are being encouraged to use a new signposting system, which Dublin City Council says will simplify journeys around the capital and alleviate congestion in the city centre.
The signs were put in place earlier this week and are a redesigned version of the controversial signs introduced by the council last year. The Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, ordered the removal of last year's signs, which were universally deemed to be confusing to motorists.
The new system is based on colour coded inner and outer orbital routes. Each junction on the routes is numbered. The outer orbital route corresponds roughly to the canal ring and is coloured purple. The inner route passes around the core of the city centre and is coloured blue.
In conjunction with the introduction of the new signs, Dublin City Council has introduced a new restriction on through traffic in the city centre. Motorists can no longer drive from Pearse Street through to College Green and must instead turn right at Tara Street and back onto the south quays to access Dame Street, College Green and Nassau Street.
Buses, taxis, bicycles and motorcycles and vehicles accessing premises on Pearse Street are, however, still allowed travel straight through from Pearse Street to College Green.
Some motorists complained on 2FM's Gerry Ryanshow this morning that the sign outlining the change has been erected too close to the junction to allow motorists move into the correct lane in time. However, a Garda has been posted at the junction this week to direct traffic. A Garda spokeswoman said there had been no complaints about the changes.
Also in Dublin, a new layout has just been put in place at the junction of O'Connell Street southbound and Abbey Street to facilitate Luas works.
Delays are expected around the Point Theatre in Dublin this evening due to a concert by Christina Aguilera. Parking for those attending the event is available at the venue for €6.
DART upgrade works between Pearse Street and Greystones will continue this weekend. No DART or commuter services will operate south of Pearse station. Dublin Bus will, however, increase the number of buses on routes 7, 45, 46a, 59 and 84 for customers travelling to and from the city.
Dublin Connolly to Arklow/Rosslare services will also be affected. Bus transfers will operate on all Arklow and Rosslare services between Dublin and Greystones or Arklow, and delays of up to 40 minutes may result. The works will continue until next May.
In Cork, bridge repair works will continue this weekend on the Midleton bypass from 9.30 a.m. until 7.00 p.m. One lane will be closed Westbound. Care is advised and some delays are expected.
There will also be delays into Mallow and Charleville, on the Limerick side due to roadworks on the N20. Temporary lights will be in place until at least mid-November.
In Limerick, new traffic signals are in operation at the junction of Carey's Road and Lord Edward Street. Motorists have been advised the new system is to incorporate pedestrian crossing phases. Also in Limerick, there is a new road layout on the N7 at the Newport/Thurles junction, just after Finnegans pub.
Due to the landslide in Derrybrien, Co Galway, the R353 from Gort to Portumna is closed one mile east of Derrybrien village. All through traffic is being diverted via Loughrea Town (N66 & R351).
Diversions are also in place at the junction of the N66 & R353 (Fahy's Cross), and at the junction of R353 & R351 (Kennedy Cross). The works are in place until further notice.