Fianna Fáil Health spokesperson Stephen Donnelly has claimed that a simple 3-point plan could help end the commuter nightmare on one of Wicklow’s busiest roads before Christmas.
Deputy Donnelly explained, “If you ask most people who drive from Wicklow into Dublin City Centre if they could have one Christmas wish, I bet many of them would say that they would like a shorter daily commute. Well that is entirely possible if the Transport Minister just makes these three simple changes.
“Step 1. Turn the hard shoulder on the N11 into a dedicated bus corridor in both directions.
Step 2. Increase the number of express bus services on offer and increase the frequency of the existing express buses such as the 84X.
Step 3. Double the number of ‘Park and Ride’ facilities in Wicklow Town, Greystones, Bray, Enniskerry, Delgany, Kilmacanogue, Rathdrum and Ashford.
“Not only would these changes help shave hours off the length of time it takes to get to and from the city centre, the shift towards public transport is also much kinder to the environment. One of the biggest obstacles to people leaving their car at home is the lack of available alternatives. Under this simple 3-point plan, buses are increased, access is improved, and journey times are slashed. In other words, it offers an immediate solution to current gridlock problem we’re facing.
“Longer term we’re looking at the need for employers to offer their staff flexi time to stagger the number of cars on the road during rush hours and we need the Government to create decent work opportunities in all the commuter belt counties.
“If the Transport Minister wants to be taken off the naughty list I suggest he tries to follow the 3-point plan before Christmas is over”, concluded Donnelly.
