Here come the Garda..
Christmas comes but once a year, but the shoppers come out in their droves for weeks in advance. Each December, Operation Freeflow is implemented in Dublin, to keep the city moving and this year it will launch on Sunday 30th November, with the full effect being felt on Monday 1st December and extra Gardai in evidence on the streets. Nicola Hudson, AA Roadwatch Controller tells us more:
December is a busy month at the best of times but Freeflow does help to make it easier. There is no doubt at all that at some stage between now and Christmas we will have an incident, or a day of bad weather, when traffic snarls to a halt. When that happens, motorists will start thinking that Freeflow is a swear word. But in fairness, December’s traffic madness would be a lot worse without it.
A frustrated motorist sitting in a traffic delay, can be sometimes be heard to complain “How can I be stuck in traffic when its Operation Freeflow?!”.
The initiative, in fact, focuses on facilitating the rapid movement of Public Transport and as such motorists are urged to leave the car at home and take a bus, Luas or DART.
This year, 166 probationer Gardai will be spotted around the city centre and suburban shopping areas. Their task: to keep yellow boxes and junctions clear, to keep clearways and bus lanes free flowing and all other traffic duties. Particular attention will be paid to areas like, Abbey St, Luas crossing, where it is imperative that the light rail is unobstructed by traffic, and drivers are urged to keep level crossings like the Merrion Gates clear for the DART also.
AA Roadwatch will keep you up to date throughout the season with updates on car park spaces, night link services, Christmas / New Year travel arrangements and Park N Ride facilities. The information is up on our website www.aaroadwatch.ie already and you can link to the Bus Section or the Rail Section to view details for Dublin Bus, Bus Eireann, Luas & DART. The Car Park Section is being updated on an ongoing basis, with city car parks festive season opening hours, along with tariffs.
Galway and Cork cities annually implement initiatives also, to keep traffic congestion to a minimum. Christmas shoppers can avail of the Galway Park N Ride at Ballybrit or opt to take the train from Athenry at reduced rate. In Cork, Bus Eireann resume the Sunday service from Black Ash Park & Ride for December. Full details of both are found on the AA Roadwatch Bus Section
December will see a huge increase in events, sports fixtures and concerts, many in Dublin at Croke Park, the RDS and The O2, opening on the site of the old Point Depot. Listings of all major events and how to get there can be found in our Events Listings.
AA Roadwatch and the Gardai, strongly encourage patrons and supporters to avail of public transport when attending any large event. The alternative is to sit in traffic delays and potentially miss your concert!
This is particularly important when attending any event at The O2 where there is No designated car park. At the time of going to press there were plans for a shuttle bus service from the Quays and the hope of 500 spaces down near the venue, but with nothing set in stone, and over 10-14,000 ticketholders headed that way, you should make alternative plans for getting there. Those coming from South Dublin should avoid turning down towards Strand road and Ringsend and should continue on in to the city centre instead. It is recommended that all patrons, park in the city centre and walk down to the venue. The Car Park Section will give you the details you need. Alternatively take the Luas or DART to Connolly station and make your way from there.
Public transport is the key to keeping Dublin moving this Christmas. Always plan your journey in advance and listen in to AA Roadwatch bulletins on your journey. Help us keep up to date by sending us additional updates on your route, by text 087 972 6000 or callsave 1850 542 542, but make sure not to use your phone whilst driving.