Letters

What about the commuters?

Questioning plans for Dublin’s Victorian Market

Wed Nov 01 2023 - 03:15

Sir, – While it would be fantastic to see Dublin’s Victorian Market refurbished to its former glory, the traffic plan regarding North King Street and Church Street is ill thought out (“Reopening of Dublin Victorian market sees dramatic plan for surrounding area”, News, October 31st).

As a commuter using these streets every morning it is the busiest area of the commute bar Summerhill to the North Circular Road. Where are these commuters going to go? Previously I would have used the quays, though the light changes and reductions of lanes have made that difficult as did the closing of Capel Street.

Cycling is not an option for a 50km round trip every day. Public transport from the north inner city to west Dublin, particularly in the morning, leaves a lot to be desired.

Going by bus requires taking two buses and leaving before 6.30am to get to work for 8.30am, which is not an efficient use of time. There is only one train, which incurs a significant walk and then you must travel to Celbridge, wait for 12 minutes and get the train back toward town to the required stop. The M50 is not an option in the morning as it is far too unreliable.

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It may be the case that many of these councillors live and do all of their business locally, thus are generally ignorant of these issues. But it would be far more pleasurable to sit reading a book than fighting traffic jams each morning.

A vibrant city should be one where residents use all parts of the city for their enjoyment and life tasks. However, a large part of this is making sure the city is traversable and that requires good, cheap frequent and reliable public transport.

The Netherlands is oft quoted with reference to cycling and cycle lanes but they also have it right on public transport. – Yours, etc,

NIAMH BYRNE,

Fairview,

Dublin 3.