On the roads: The Special Olympics World Summer Games are not expected to cause gridlock in Dublin, despite the influx of tens of thousands of participants and spectators, organisers said yesterday.
The Special Olympics teams are making their way back to Dublin today, in preparation for the opening of the Games tomorrow. Their families and supporters and about 1,500 members of the international media are also arriving in the coming days.
Thousands of host town volunteers are expected to travel to Dublin next week to watch the teams they hosted.
Mr Joe Collins, Special Olympics transport information manager, said an enormous amount of preparation had been done and things should go according to plan.
"I honestly think it will go very well. There has been an awful lot of advance preparation between transport suppliers and the gardaí. There will also be meetings every day to analyse how things are going. If any unforeseen difficulties turn up, they will be rectified as soon as possible."
When athletes return to Dublin today, they will be staying in budget hotels and school and college accommodation around the Dublin area.
Gardaí have approved a number of routes to transport athletes from more than 20 accommodation venues to 22 sports venues.
The bus lanes, quality bus corridors and the M50 will be the backbone of the travel plan, Mr Collins said. A second set of routes has been identified, in case of accidents or other emergencies.
Buses carrying Special Olympics athletes will have identification on their roofs, to allow the Garda helicopter to monitor their progress.
The gardaí and Special Olympics organisers have urged people to use public transport as much as possible and to avoid travelling during peak times.
"Be patient and tolerant, avoid clashing with peak morning and evening traffic and give way to buses carrying athletes," Mr Collins said.
Up to 320 buses will be ferrying athletes to their sports venues every morning before 8.30 a.m. "They will be competing with the normal commerce of the city," Mr Collins said.
Tickets are not needed for the next week's sports events, but people planning to attend should contact the spectator hotline (01-810 2003) to ensure that the event will not be overcrowded.
Tomorrow will be one of the busiest days when 75,000 people are expected to attend the opening ceremony in Croke Park.
Gardaí have asked motorists to avoid areas such as the Customs House/Summerhill area, the Clonliffe Road area, Malahide Road and Fairview Strand.
"I don't fear gridlock," said Mr Conor Faughnan, Automobile Association's public affairs manager. "There will be a considerable increase in activity but nothing we cannot handle. The organisation seems to be excellent," he said.
Dublin Bus was very happy with its plans, spokeswoman Ms Gráinne Mackin said. All bus drivers had voluntarily postponed holiday leave during the events and the largest possible fleet of buses would be on the road. A team of 35 bus inspectors will be roaming the city, monitoring progress, she said.
For further information, see:
www.dublinbus.ie or www.garda.ie/specialolympics or www.aaroadwatch.ie
