Sir, - I wonder whether your correspondent, Mr David Timoney, (May 29th) lives in a cul-de-sac?
If so, he may not be aware of the environmental degradation suffered on the old, narrow, formerly quiet, residential roads of Blackrock over the past 13 years. This has been caused solely by the habit of "rat running" by through traffic, local and long distance, domestic and commercial. In the last year or two the area's problems have been compounded by the increased use of these roads for car parking by the ever-growing Blackrock office population.
The proposed action by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is well overdue [the closing of Sydney Avenue was suggested as long ago as 1985.] It is high time that the roads of this area were restored as safe and pleasant residential streets. The proposals would also involve my family in considerable inconvenience in our daily travels, but surely we have reached the stage where individuals, including motorists, must surrender transient personal advantage for a greater environmental good.
Rather than depreciating the limited proposals now made by the county council, anyone concerned with the environment should be campaigning for even more stringent measures to eliminating "rat running". Amazingly, the current proposals do not include the closing of Sydney Avenue to through traffic - despite this being designated by Dun Laoghaire Corporation as a Conservation Area and there being numerous Listed Buildings on this road! - Yours, etc., Simon Broadhead,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.