Motorists who’ve begun to believe the annual ‘Freeflow’ Christmas traffic management event in Dublin and surrounding areas is rather inappropriately named, are missing the point, it seems.
Operation Freeflow, initiated by An Garda Siochána with the cooperation of the various local authorities at the beginning of December each year, is all about making sure public transport moves more freely.
Freeflow begins this year on Sunday November 30th, with the full effect due to be felt on Monday, said AA Roadwatch controller Nicola Hudson.
“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.”
“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. “
More than 160 probationer gardai will be on duty around Dublin city and suburban shopping areas with the unenviable task of keeping yellow boxes and junctions clear and to keep clearways and bus lanes free-flowing.
Bus timetables, apparently designed without the interests of the public in mind for most of the year, may just about serve commuters and shoppers best for getting around in December.
So seethe away to your heart's discontent behind the wheel. Just make sure you have a nice hot cup of coffee to warm your hands and some soothing Christmas music to ease your traffic temper.
In other traffic news this weekend, delays are likely around NUI Galway today due to conferring ceremonies.
On the M50, a temporary layout is in place southbound at J6 Blanchardstown until next Friday, approximately. Traffic is split and motorists must stay to the left to exit onto the N3/Navan road. But both lanes can be used to continue south.
Lane closures will be in place both ways at the site of the old West Link toll plaza each night from 8pm-6am until Saturday December 6th.
A new layout is also in place on the M50 southbound between the Ballymun and Finglas exits, and some caution is required.
Work on the new M3 motorway continues and traffic will be down to one lane on the N3 at Barronstown, north of Ross Cross, from 9am to 5pm daily until Friday December 5th, excluding weekends.
Motorists are advised to expect delays or to use an alternative route.
On the events front this weekend, the Top Gear Live show continues at the RDS in Dublin.
Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May will entertain thousands at the booked-out event with their unabashed and laddish enthusiasm for big engines and shiny bodywork.
Also at the RDS tomorrow, Leinster will play Newport Gwent Dragons in the Magners League at 5.30pm. There is no parking in the area and those travelling to the RDS are strongly advised to use public transport, AA roadwatch said.
In Meath, the Fairyhouse Winter Festival takes place at the Ratoath racecourse on Saturday and Sunday.
The first race is off at 12.25pm on Saturday, and a little later, at 12.35pm on Sunday. Extra traffic volumes can be expected through Ratoath and on the N3 before and after the event.
Met Éireann predicts a dry night tonight with long clear spells. It will be very cold with light winds and a widespread, severe frost will form with some freezing fog patches inland. Lowest temperatures will range from +2 to -4 degrees.
Saturday is expected to be bright and mainly dry after a frosty start. There will be further wintry showers near north and west coasts. It will be very cold, with highest temperatures of just 4 to 6 degrees.
Again, Saturday night will be extremely cold with widespread severe frost and possibly some fog. There will be icy roads in many areas as temperatures fall to as low as -4 or -5.
Scattered showers of hail, sleet and snow are forecast overnight on Saturday, mainly in parts of Ulster, Connacht and west Munster, where some could be heavy or thundery.