Madam, - The effects and results of the building of motorways has been very well observed and documented over the past 40 years - so much so that the results and effects of the building of any further such structures can now be readily predicted. So, instead of one line of cars at a standstill bumper to bumper, there will be x number of lines where x equals the number of lanes provided, not to mention other effects of such motorways in the shape of the destruction of heritage and environment.
The M50 has not yet attained its majority, yet it now screams for extra lanes and multi-storey interchanges having already spawned an extra bridge across the Liffey like an adolescent monster running out of control. If one looks for money for a few hospital beds or for the development of an effective and efficient public transport structure, there is never any money available. But if the project is a motorway, the supply of money becomes infinite, with barriers to cost dispensed with, and value for money vis-à-vis the end result not even being given the slightest consideration.
After over 20 years since our first motorway was built, and with infinite sums of money having been spent, are we any further forward? As the congestion gets worse and the traffic jams longer, and a new orbital roadway takes shape outside the M50, with talk of further ring roads even further out again, what is it that makes me feel we are going round in circles? - Yours, etc,
PHILIP O'REILLY, Grosvenor Place, Dublin 6.