Seamus Quirke roadworks merge

DanielI · 09-01-2011 8:20pm

Happy New Year!

I see they finally got the gravel out in front of Westside Dunnes. Maybe they are finished with the drainage.

gerregan · 12-01-2011 1:51pm

Amhran Nua wrote: »

Anyway, given the imho inevitability of an outer bypass being set up at some stage in the future, hopefully near, it might be a waste of effort turning the Séamus Quirke road into a main artery. I'd be curious as to the reasoning behind the bus lanes though, is there an expectation of increasing bus traffic from the Knocknacarra area soon, or just evening out the existing traffic?

Sorry for getting to the discussion so late (and haven't seen a reply to this), but it's basically a "build it and they will come" scenario. The Doughiska / Mervue routes are by far and away the most successful routes in the city, primarily because they are so reliable due to the bus lanes on that side of the city. The west of the city does not currently have these facilities, which means that people are less likely to use the bus, as they can't rely on them to get them into work on time etc.

I've a hunch that the bus lanes being built (and future lanes if they get the funding for them) will have a much greater effect on congestion than even the Dublin Road bus lanes. This route would have more local traffic on it than the inter-urban traffic that would use Dublin Road, and if a portion of this traffic can be relocated onto the bus service, it will significantly reduce congestion in the area, once a change in public public perception towards public transport starts to happen.

snubbleste · 12-01-2011 2:21pm

I argued that before gerregan, a reliable fast bus will take a lot of cars away from the road.

Meantime for the drivers using this road, if you so much splash me with dirty mud-coloured street water along this road tonight, i will get my witch to curse ye!
I got soaked last night not from the rain but by deliberately displaced streetwater by smug motorists. Must look up the definition of assault.

KevR · 12-01-2011 2:30pm

gerregan wrote: »

Sorry for getting to the discussion so late (and haven't seen a reply to this), but it's basically a "build it and they will come" scenario. The Doughiska / Mervue routes are by far and away the most successful routes in the city, primarily because they are so reliable due to the bus lanes on that side of the city. The west of the city does not currently have these facilities, which means that people are less likely to use the bus, as they can't rely on them to get them into work on time etc.

I've a hunch that the bus lanes being built (and future lanes if they get the funding for them) will have a much greater effect on congestion than even the Dublin Road bus lanes. This route would have more local traffic on it than the inter-urban traffic that would use Dublin Road, and if a portion of this traffic can be relocated onto the bus service, it will significantly reduce congestion in the area, once a change in public public perception towards public transport starts to happen.

I presume you mean the Number 9? Yes, the bus lane is a factor in its success but I personally wouldn't regard it as the primary factor. If you look at the locations served by the No. 9 then it's quite clear that the routing of the bus is the primary reason for the large number of passengers.

It serves the City Centre, Wellpark, Renmore, GMIT, Doughiska/Roscam, Galway Clinic and Parkmore.

On most bus routes (everywhere, not just in Galway) you will have half of the fleet going against the tide of passengers at any one time. For example, on the Knocknacarra route the vast majority of passengers are heading into town in the morning; very few people travel from the city centre to Knocknacarra in the morning. In the evenings, the majority of people are heading out of town.

In the morning on the Parkmore route you have people heading from Doughiska/Roscam into GMIT and town; people from Renmore heading into town; and you also have people heading from the City Centre out to work in Parkmore. There is a strong tide of passengers going in both directions at the same time.

The bus lane does improve journey times and reliability, it's certainly a factor in the No. 9's success. But let's not fall into the trap of thinking that every route will become as successful as the No. 9 if we simply put down bus lanes because that won't be the case.

gerregan · 12-01-2011 2:41pm

All valid points, but I would say in the case of BoD / SQ Roads, the design, including the inclusion of (safe) cycle facilities, will, assuming they are maintained appropriately, give 2 additional means of transport that may not be considered by many to be currently feasible. This will surely help ease congestion, bearing in mind that you don't have to, say, half traffic numbers to double capacity. Small improvements can have big benefits.

There would be a large amount of school-based trips in the area (and even more should a secondary school be provided in Knocknacarra), there is no reason why a lot of these trips cannot be done by bus or bicycle. And in fairness, neither modes of transport are as yet good for younger users in this area.

By the way, just in case you think it, I don't work for the council!

pleasant Co. · 12-01-2011 2:50pm

snubbleste wrote: »

I got soaked last night not from the rain but by deliberately displaced streetwater by smug motorists. Must look up the definition of assault.

Didn't someone in the UK get done for deliberately soaking a pedestrian?

EDIT: Yup, this is what I was thinking of: Daily Mail

ciotog · 12-01-2011 3:19pm

gerregan wrote: »

All valid points, but I would say in the case of BoD / SQ Roads, the design, including the inclusion of (safe) cycle facilities, will, assuming they are maintained appropriately, give 2 additional means of transport that may not be considered by many to be currently feasible. This will surely help ease congestion, bearing in mind that you don't have to, say, half traffic numbers to double capacity. Small improvements can have big benefits.

There would be a large amount of school-based trips in the area (and even more should a secondary school be provided in Knocknacarra), there is no reason why a lot of these trips cannot be done by bus or bicycle. And in fairness, neither modes of transport are as yet good for younger users in this area.

By the way, just in case you think it, I don't work for the council!

The cycle facilities aren't safe - one simple example is the failure to account for the roundabout at either end of the scheme. There are several others but I won't burden the thread for now.

gerregan · 12-01-2011 3:27pm

Roundabouts are a difficult one for cyclists, I agree, and were they not 5 arm roundabouts to begin with, I would imagine they would have been changed to traffic signals as part of the works.

As a matter of interest, what do you consider to be the other safety issues with the works?

ciotog · 12-01-2011 3:40pm

gerregan wrote: »

Roundabouts are a difficult one for cyclists, I agree, and were they not 5 arm roundabouts to begin with, I would imagine they would have been changed to traffic signals as part of the works.

As a matter of interest, what do you consider to be the other safety issues with the works?

A couple of the issues:
- when you approach from Fort Lorenzo, accessing the cycle way requires a 90 degree left turn off the roundabout arm to mount the dished kerb. So there's a danger to both cyclists and pedestrians with that one.
- A cyclist who ramps back down onto the road at a junction is put into a cycle way inside of left turning traffic. This scenario is where most fatal accidents involving cyclists occur.
- A number of other arrangements will put cyclists in dangerous road positions in relation to other road users, I'll see if I have links handy from GalwayCycling.org (I'm a committee member there) which provide more detail.

DanielI · 12-01-2011 9:39pm

Three significantly deep holes are located in front for the TOPAZ Station. They are close to the kerb and affect traffic moving away from the city.

In the same direction the hole 50m before the T junction at the Oaks Hotel is slowly creeping towards the middle of the lane.

KevR · 13-01-2011 12:25am

Was just going to post about the potholes - they are really bad on that stretch.

I'm actually avoiding driving on the SQR at the moment because I don't want to damage my tyres..

GekkePrutser · 13-01-2011 12:26pm

Yes the potholes are seriously deep, I felt a huge bang underneath the car yesterday and I was going dead slow because of the traffic. I never saw the actual pothole, it was probably underneath a puddle.

In other news, I saw them taking plastic bags off the diversion signage this morning, at the Deane Roundabout. So they'll probably close off the Bishop O'Donnell road again towards the westside

snubbleste · 16-01-2011 10:23am

Those potholes were filled with something on friday but were back a day later bigger than ever with the filler contents spread on the adjacent footpath along with some liberated hub caps, potholes still there this morning.

DanielI · 01-02-2011 10:33pm

Immediately after the signalled junction at Old Seamus Quirke Rd: two close to each other, one on the left one on the right.

Then after the bus stop, right abouth where the metal fence is ending: one on the left, but not making contact with the kerb.

T junction with B. Le Cheile: two one on the left and one on the right; I usually stay in the middle of Lane 1 and miss them every time.

T junction with Rahoon Rd: a few mostly in contact with the kerb.

Keep calm and carry on...

snubbleste · 06-02-2011 7:04pm

Few more have opened up, in addition to the above.
massive one in the middle of the road at the junction of Rahoon Rd and Circular Rd.
They do wonders for keeping motorists travelling under the maximum permitted speed limit.

snubbleste · 20-03-2011 6:53pm

Seems to be taking awfully long...how much is this project costing again and estimated timeframe of completion?

inisboffin · 20-03-2011 7:46pm

Not sure about exact cost, but eta of completion is end of October this year.

ciotog · 21-03-2011 2:42pm

snubbleste wrote: »

Seems to be taking awfully long...how much is this project costing again and estimated timeframe of completion?

It's down for 10 million.

serfboard · 21-03-2011 6:23pm

Well it seems they've done an awful lot more than just build the bus lanes - with all the piping that they've been laying/re-laying.

Passing it today there's a lot more gravel on it than previous, and the holes seem to be covered up, so it looks like they're getting ready to start laying some tarmac (or whatever it is they'll be using).

snubbleste · 09-04-2011 1:48pm

Noticed they've removed all the traffic islands/restrictions on Siobhán McKenna Road, yet left the markings on the road..

DanielI · 09-04-2011 8:04pm

snubbleste wrote: »

Noticed they've removed all the traffic islands/restrictions on Siobhán McKenna Road, yet left the markings on the road..

It was about time... They are going to close Bóthair le Chéile for a month after Easter. This is to lay more pipes.

http://www.galwaycity.ie/GeneralNews/050411_01.html

snubbleste · 09-05-2011 12:31pm

Another incident with the water supply during the roadworks.

A large part of the city has been left without water today due to a burst water mains. The burst happened during works in the Séamus Quirke Road this morning.

Sponge Bob · 09-05-2011 12:37pm

Massive pipeburst making ****e of traffic right now just at the hotel. Should be fixed for the rush hour...but maybe not

Madame Razz · 09-05-2011 12:37pm

These roadworks are really starting to get on my wick:mad:

Malice · 09-05-2011 1:30pm

Madame Razz wrote: »

These roadworks are really starting to get on my wick:mad:

I'm avoiding the area like the plague. How are the roadworks progressing? I'm guessing not a lot.

inisboffin · 09-05-2011 6:25pm

Hard to tell with the untrained eye!

Madame Razz · 09-05-2011 6:49pm

Malice wrote: »

How are the roadworks progressing? I'm guessing not a lot.

You would guess correctly.

The roadworks appear to exist solely to compound traffic in all surrounding areas, make noise, and achieve very little. It's a joke. And wait 'til they close off lower Dominick street; the REAL fun starts then:rolleyes:.

snubbleste · 09-05-2011 6:56pm

In fairness they are progressing with the longer days. If you look across what should be the new lane, it's taking shape relatively nicely.
It does'nt help that they had all of easter week off with bank holidays to bookend it, nice for some.

Iwannahurl · 09-05-2011 8:59pm

My guess: they hit the water main because either (a) there was no proper record of where the pipe was or (b) they had the map but did not, or could not, interpret it properly.

Speaking of which, is there any indication of where the planned cycle lanes/paths are to go? On Bothar na dTreabh the cycle paths are actually just the surface over conduits for ESB cables. I'm wondering whether the same might be done on the Seamus Quirke Road.

jkforde · 09-05-2011 10:48pm

Iwannahurl wrote: »

Speaking of which, is there any indication of where the planned cycle lanes/paths are to go?

http://www.galwaycity.ie/GTU/220910_01.pdf

Amhran Nua · 10-05-2011 5:23pm

Madame Razz wrote: »

These roadworks are really starting to get on my wick:mad:

Drives me bats when people turn right into Aldi, it stalls traffic back past Westside shopping centre. I mean its not like there isn't a literal big neon sign telling them to go up the back way just past the traffic lights. They should put up that no right turn sign again. Similar for people coming out of Aldi, the number of times I've seen cars stretched perpendicular to two lanes of traffic.

Iwannahurl · 10-05-2011 7:45pm

Amhran Nua wrote: »

Drives me bats when people turn right into Aldi, it stalls traffic back past Westside shopping centre. I mean its not like there isn't a literal big neon sign telling them to go up the back way just past the traffic lights. They should put up that no right turn sign again. Similar for people coming out of Aldi, the number of times I've seen cars stretched perpendicular to two lanes of traffic.

Turning right out of Aldi was always stupid and should never have been allowed. I once worked in one of the premises in that complex, and when I drove I used to have to queue to get out of the car-park. Held up by lazy idiots who insisted on trying to turn right in rush-hour traffic, when there were other options available by turning left.

Such brainless Lemming-like behaviour helped me to get out of routine car use though. Cycling beats all.

bloo · 11-05-2011 12:31pm

Hi,

Just out of interest, which bus services will be using the new bus lanes? Does anyone know if there will be new services or will existing ones be changed? I can only think of 2 that head out that way (their the ones I use, but i assume theres more), both of which wouldnt use the bus lanes at least in their entirety.

Sponge Bob · 11-05-2011 12:41pm

bloo wrote: »

Hi,
Just out of interest, which bus services will be using the new bus lanes? Does anyone know if there will be new services or will existing ones be changed?

This is Galway , the answer is probably 2 like you said but they will renumber the routes. As has been predicted in this thread the 2 bus lanes will be a 24/7 'Smart' 'Green' folly costing €10m plus the accumulated cost of all the disruption while constructed.

what_traffic · 11-05-2011 3:12pm

Sponge Bob wrote: »

This is Galway , the answer is probably 2 like you said but they will renumber the routes. As has been predicted in this thread the 2 bus lanes will be a 24/7 'Smart' 'Green' folly costing €10m plus the accumulated cost of all the disruption while constructed.

Probably the biggest users of the bus lane initially will be cyclists and taxis.

snubbleste · 12-05-2011 7:26pm

There is a dispute between developers and residents over the proposed removal of 50 mature trees alongside Corrib park. Developer’s Coffey construction are planning to cut down the 30 year old trees for road realignment and it's understood this was never indicated at the planning stage. http://www.galwaynews.ie/19403-temporary-reprieve-50-westside-trees

In the olden days, they would've been removed and then the Council would shrug their shoulders and say 'we dunno who dun it'
Those trees are needed to screen the houses from the road or vice versa. Save the Trees!

Sponge Bob · 15-05-2011 8:54pm

There is another dispute at Dúnárás , around here

It appears the corpo does not own the land they need to take and the management company wants €200k for it.

http://www.galwaynews.ie/19408-legal-threat-could-cause-major-quirke-road-hold

THE €10m Seamus Quirke road enhancement project could face a major delay after it emerged this week that lands encroached on by the contractor had not been legally secured by the City Council.

at1withmyself · 16-05-2011 8:30pm

snubbleste wrote: »

There is a dispute between developers and residents over the proposed removal of 50 mature trees alongside Corrib park. Developer’s Coffey construction are planning to cut down the 30 year old trees for road realignment and it's understood this was never indicated at the planning stage. http://www.galwaynews.ie/19403-temporary-reprieve-50-westside-trees

In the olden days, they would've been removed and then the Council would shrug their shoulders and say 'we dunno who dun it'
Those trees are needed to screen the houses from the road or vice versa. Save the Trees!

If they are planning on putting up new tree's then I don't see the problem but this is turning into Eyre Square round II with money and tree issue!

The inbound section is taking shape from the lower Rahoon Road junction with the curbs now in place along a good section down to the roundabout by Corrib Park.

gandroid · 17-05-2011 3:47pm

Sponge Bob wrote: »

This is Galway , the answer is probably 2 like you said but they will renumber the routes. As has been predicted in this thread the 2 bus lanes will be a 24/7 'Smart' 'Green' folly costing €10m plus the accumulated cost of all the disruption while constructed.

Surely they can reconsider this. It's shocking & illogical that 50% of the lanes will be taken up by buses, especially on a 24/7 basis...even if they were bus lanes at peak times but I guess that is also the time when both lanes would be needed by cars. But one 24/7 bus lane both ways is a waste....considering the cost involved.

what_traffic · 17-05-2011 4:00pm

gandroid wrote: »

It's shocking & illogical that 50% of the lanes will be taken up buy buses, especially on a 24/7 basis...even if they were bus lanes at peak times but I guess that is also the time when both lanes would be needed by cars.

I think you have just actually explained the logic quite well of it being a 24h bus lane.

Pure Sound · 17-05-2011 6:43pm

It’s impossible to please everybody, personally I think that the idea of having bus lanes and cycle lanes is a far better than two lane traffic. Everyone always claims that the bus service in Galway is unreliable yet complain when the council decide that they want to do something about it to make it a more accessible form of transport.

The problem with upgrading a road to hold more traffic is that it will do exactly that, more people will want to drive and the bus service continues to be unreliable so we are back in the same position - the newly updated infrastructure can't cope with the traffic. By making public transport more accessible and reliable you can change attitudes towards public transport, thus reducing traffic flow. The same applies for accessibility to safe cycle lanes. This type of system also has the potential to reduce Galway’s overall carbon emissions which is also important.

I currently drive a car but I am hoping to start cycling to work soon. Cycle lanes will make that a hell of a lot easier.

Iwannahurl · 17-05-2011 6:45pm

at1withmyself wrote: »

If they are planning on putting up new tree's then I don't see the problem but this is turning into Eyre Square round II with money and tree issue!

The inbound section is taking shape from the lower Rahoon Road junction with the curbs now in place along a good section down to the roundabout by Corrib Park.

May I ask a favour? Can you keep an eye on where they're routing services such as ESB cables? I'm interested to know how their placement relates to the new road layout.

Iwannahurl · 17-05-2011 6:51pm

We Need Community wrote: »

It’s impossible to please everybody, personally I think that the idea of having bus lanes and cycle lanes is a far better than two lane traffic. Everyone always claims that the bus service in Galway is unreliable yet complain when the council decide that they want to do something about it to make it a more accessible form of transport.

The problem with upgrading a road to hold more traffic is that it will do exactly that, more people will want to drive and the bus service continues to be unreliable so we are back in the same position - the newly updated infrastructure can't cope with the traffic. By making public transport more accessible and reliable you can change attitudes towards public transport, thus reducing traffic flow. The same applies for accessibility to safe cycle lanes. This type of system also has the potential to reduce Galway’s overall carbon emissions which is also important.

I currently drive a car but I am hoping to start cycling to work soon. Cycle lanes will make that a hell of a lot easier.

Generally agreed. Many motorists simply can't or won't appreciate the rationale for bus lanes.

However, in relation to cycle lanes I would advise caution. Beware of casually following cycle lanes that may direct you inside left-turning traffic (such collisions being a significant cause of death and injury among cyclists in Ireland).

You should also be aware that the City Council have absolutely no plans for improving the safety of cyclists on the roundabouts at either end of the Seamus Quirke Road upgrade. Roundabouts are the most dangerous junction type for cyclists in Galway, IMO, so I wish you luck!

Pure Sound · 17-05-2011 7:05pm

Iwannahurl wrote: »

Generally agreed. Many motorists simply can't or won't appreciate the rationale for bus lanes.

However, in relation to cycle lanes I would advise caution. Beware of casually following cycle lanes that may direct you inside left-turning traffic (such collisions being a significant cause of death and injury among cyclists in Ireland).

You should also be aware that the City Council have absolutely no plans for improving the safety of cyclists on the roundabouts at either end of the Seamus Quirke Road upgrade. Roundabouts are the most dangerous junction type for cyclists in Galway, IMO, so I wish you luck!

I can see that they have overlooked a lot with regards to cyclists on this route but it is still a step in the right direction. The road as it stands and prior to development is/was far more dangerous for cyclists then the proposed plans. They have the right idea in my opinion in the council with this development but it is fairly obvious that the people who planned it do not cycle. Fortunately for myself I will be cycling on more off peak times so hopefully it will be a bit safer then.

Iwannahurl · 17-05-2011 7:14pm

By the way, well done on switching to the bike.

One less car!

gandroid · 17-05-2011 11:24pm

what_traffic wrote: »

I think you have just actually explained the logic quite well of it being a 24h bus lane.

I don't follow. My comments are based on what others said such as only 2 bus routes using this road at the moment so unless that changes then 24hr bus lanes just don't make sense on such a busy route as the public transport network is not comprehensive enough to get people to where they need to go.

Also even if there were more bus services, it would still not justify it imo as whether we like it or not most motorists will still choose (or be forced) to use their own cars; in many cases they have no choice especially as this route is used to get through/around the city for many commuters. Furthermore, the outer bypass is not going to be developed anytime soon so we're stuck with this as the main artery and most people do need to use cars for the type of journey they are undertaking. Therefore, in the context of the cost of the development (and the disruption caused by it) if there is a new road perfectly wide for more traffic lanes that would be utilised more of the time (with priority for buses during peak times) it makes sense to use them efficiently. I'm not sure about the plan for cycle lanes but I believe they are seperate and are obviously welcome.

Iwannahurl · 17-05-2011 11:53pm

gandroid wrote: »

I don't follow. My comments are based on what others said such as only 2 bus routes using this road at the moment so unless that changes then 24hr bus lanes just don't make sense on such a busy route as the public transport network is not comprehensive enough to get people to where they need to go.

Also even if there were more bus services, it would still not justify it imo as whether we like it or not most motorists will still choose (or be forced) to use their own cars; in many cases they have no choice especially as this route is used to get through/around the city for many commuters. Furthermore, the outer bypass is not going to be developed anytime soon so we're stuck with this as the main artery and most people do need to use cars for the type of journey they are undertaking. Therefore, in the context of the cost of the development (and the disruption caused by it) if there is a new road perfectly wide for more traffic lanes that would be utilised more of the time (with priority for buses during peak times) it makes sense to use them efficiently. I'm not sure about the plan for cycle lanes but I believe they are seperate and are obviously welcome.

I thought about this a little as I drove through Claregalway recently, where there is a 24-hour bus lane in operation. Why, I wondered, was I being made to drive in single file past an empty lane?

The answer, I suspect, is that if both lanes are opened to the usual single-occupant private car traffic then the ultimate effect will merely be to facilitate motorists to get to the traffic jam faster.

Traffic expands to meet the space available. If you make two lanes of the SQR then you will have two lines of traffic heading towards the next bottleneck. Building more roads and allocating more road space to private cars does not solve traffic congestion -- quite the opposite. Traffic speed, traffic volume and junction capacity are related. It's a much more efficient use of space and resources to prioritise public transport, since this can address congestion and sustainability issues in a way that private cars can't.

gandroid · 18-05-2011 12:34am

Yes in theory your common sense/scientific diagram is probably accurate in big cities where they have realistic alternatives and a comprehensive interconnected network of trains, trams and buses. So you could get from relatively near your home to a location on the other side of the city with ease, using frequent on-time services or to join an equally comprehensive national inter-city network but that simply isn't the case in Galway...and the SQR is one of our main arteries for traffic (mainly cars) for this very reason and will continue to remain so. Take for example people who live in Barna/Furbo (and a lot more people come from a lot further than Barna & Furbo) who commute everyday to the city/hospital/University/eastern industrial estates....what are their options realistically? Without even bringing things like our climate/dropping kids to school into it....

I am all for less congestion, believe me...but I think people are being very idealistic and if we have a new wide road....you have to be realistic based on the current needs (again...no outer ring road!) and use it efficiently with priority to vehicles carrying more people like your diagram so obviously explained. If we build a better public transport network then things might be different. There is a bit of chicken and egg here too obviously.

Another point about single lanes is not everyone is going straight on so with 2 lanes those turning off do not have to delay those behind them (as is painfully obvious to those of us who have to drive :eek: on that road at the moment during the upgrade). Now I think this issue may be addressed with turning lanes so it may not be such a problem. Also, more lanes doesn't always lead to further congestion up ahead as not all vehicles are going to the same place, some turn off or terminate along the way; the hospital & university are big examples of this in this particular situation or people turning off to Rahoon Road/other estates/WDR going the other way.

I'm not trying to be negative, just realistic.

Iwannahurl · 18-05-2011 1:16am

I'm not a roads engineer so I can't give you chapter and verse on lanes, destinations and congestion.

However, it is an established fact (accepted by transport authorities internationally) that building more roads does not reduce congestion in the long run, and can even increase it.

A suite of traffic & transport measures is needed, not just bus lanes. Park & Ride is one solution for out-of-town traffic. As for the school run, there are an awful lot of Johnnies and Marys that could and should be walking or cycling.

There may be chickens and eggs, but at the end of the day policy/political decisions need to be made. Do we want to keep facilitating more and more private cars, or do we want to prioritise more sustainable and efficient modes?

One of the biggest barriers to frequent on-time bus services is traffic congestion (including rampant illegal parking). A political decision needs to be taken to reduce car traffic and reallocate space to public transport, cycling and walking. The signs are that such decisions are being made, however slowly and uncertainly. Welcome to the future...

gandroid · 18-05-2011 11:15am

Iwannahurl wrote: »

I'm not a roads engineer so I can't give you chapter and verse on lanes, destinations and congestion.

However, it is an established fact (accepted by transport authorities internationally) that building more roads does not reduce congestion in the long run, and can even increase it.

A suite of traffic & transport measures is needed, not just bus lanes. Park & Ride is one solution for out-of-town traffic. As for the school run, there are an awful lot of Johnnies and Marys that could and should be walking or cycling.

There may be chickens and eggs, but at the end of the day policy/political decisions need to be made. Do we want to keep facilitating more and more private cars, or do we want to prioritise more sustainable and efficient modes?

One of the biggest barriers to frequent on-time bus services is traffic congestion (including rampant illegal parking). A political decision needs to be taken to reduce car traffic and reallocate space to public transport, cycling and walking. The signs are that such decisions are being made, however slowly and uncertainly. Welcome to the future...

Facts can be selective. Your answer is still idealistic. I wish for a better public transport system too but we're a long way from it.

Seamus Quirke roadworks merge

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