Madam, - I found it amazing to read Ciarán Murray of Ballymun Regeneration Ltd quoted as saying the estimated extra 4,000 to 5,000 cars a day visiting the proposed IKEA store would not create a traffic management problem for Ballymun (The Irish Times, January 6th).
As anyone who lives or works here knows, the traffic situation is already chaotic. It is quite normal to experience long tailbacks at the main junction. Locals trying to enter Ballymun Road are faced with delays of about 15 minutes.
I understand the aim of Ballymun Regeneration was to create a thriving town where locals and outsiders could do business, shop and socialise. By enticing a superstore to locate in Ballymun Mr Murray must surely realise that he is discouraging other retailers. What hardware, furniture or lighting shop could do business less than a kilometre from a giant such as IKEA?
I fear that, should this store open here, Ballymun will once again be no more than a thoroughfare choked by thousands of extra cars passing through each day. Our hopes for a thriving town centre will be gone once again. - Yours, etc.,
SHEILA JUDGE, St Pappin's Green, Dublin 11.