Madam, - After yet another exhausting (and unnecessarily prolonged) journey into Dublin, I wonder if anybody is giving any attention whatever to the increasing problems facing motorists coming from the Dunshaughlin, Dunboyne and Clonee areas.
The main road from (say) Dunshaughlin is reasonably good as far as Clonee. Traffic moves quite well, save for occasional surges from the Fairyhouse crossroads. But as one moves on further to the dual carriageway from Clonee, problems begin to loom. As one comes within remote sight of the Blanchardstown Centre, more and more traffic is being added and the tailback starts to appear. It can often take 20 to 30 minutes to complete the remaining short journey to Blanchardstown itself, which is clearly absurd.
The problem derives from the lunatic planning and design at that crucial point, because the ever-growing flow of traffic is now being confronted by not one, not two, but three roundabouts in rapid proximity (one of which connects to the M50). So the vast majority of motorists, who are heading into Dublin (and its own traffic delights), are being obstructed and delayed by the efforts of the planners themselves.
It seems obvious that such a main approach route to Dublin should be able to flow with minimum interruption, whether by direct route, flyover or underpass,with appropriate exits to other destinations. As more and more people are settling further and further out from Dublin, this problem is clearly worsening by the day. And those of us who recently experienced days of severe flooding (and even snowfalls) are well aware of the total gridlock which inevitably looms.
Indeed, as we gravitate more and more into motorways and dual carriageways, we should ponder what appears to be our national obsession with roundabouts. Urgent attention is needed by the appropriate authority. But cé hé sin? - Yours, etc.,
T.P. BYRNE,
Dunshaughlin,
Co Meath.