Sir, - Last week I received a "National Development Plan" information leaflet pushed through my letter-box. Three-quarters of the leaflet dealt with improvements to the public transport system, with the remainder dealing with roads. Yet the reality is that only 30 per cent of transport spending under the NDP will go on public transport and the other 70 per cent will go on roads. To add to the spin, the leaflet promises a new, improved suburban rail service on the Maynooth line in the near future - no mention that the "soon to arrive" service is already four months late and there is no fixed date to have it running (surely deja vu for your Greystones readers). Nor, indeed, is there any mention of the fact that many QBC routes are running at only 50 per cent of their target average speeds.
Yet it is not all doom and gloom. While Third World public transport is set to persist, we here in Blanchardstown can look forward to a world-class white elephant on our doorstep to add to our traffic chaos. - Yours, etc.,
David Maher, Summerfield Rise, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.