The Traffic Problem

The dangers from present-day traffic are becoming so apparent that the Dail will be urged to deal with the new Traffic Bill with…

The dangers from present-day traffic are becoming so apparent that the Dail will be urged to deal with the new Traffic Bill with the least possible delay at the coming session.

Traffic congestion difficulties and their parliamentary solution are not a new phase of Dublin life, however. Gilbert, in his ["]History["]tells how in 1763 the principal inhabitants of Anglesey street, Fleet street, Temple Bar and Aston's quay presented to the House of Commons a petition setting forth that Anglesey street was a great thoroughfare, not only for coaches and chairs passing between both Houses of Parliament, but also ["]for carriages of all kinds loaded with coals, corn, timber, bark and other commodities["] ; that the street was so narrow at the College Green and that two coaches could only with difficulty pass each other, which occasioned great delays, disputes, breaking of carriages and often personal damage.

All this obstruction, the memorial added, was caused by two small tenements, which could be purchased and demolished. The result was a compliance with the petition, the Commons granting £340 to widen the street on the committee's report that "the said work would be of great use to the public."

The Irish Times, February 17th, 1931.