Concerted action is needed to solve Dublin's traffic problem

Average travel speeds in Dublin have slowed to less than 8.75 m.p.h. Last week, in an attempt to highlight the scale of the transport infrastructure crisis, I delivered a letter and report to the Taoiseach.

To make the point as clearly as possible I travelled by horse and carriage, a quicker mode of travel than current motor averages. This approach did not sit well with some commentators, who felt it undermined the gravity of the situation. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The approach by Dublin Chamber of Commerce was deemed questionable by some and our request for "emergency legislation" to deal with the problem was labelled superficial. There was, and is, nothing superficial about the chamber's contribution. We did not call for "emergency legislation", but did seek and will continue to seek action to resolve the traffic crisis in our capital city.

A congested city is not good for business and if it is not good for business then jobs and wealth are at risk. Unfortunately, the current systems just don't seem to be working. The city manager, John Fitzgerald, acknowledged the current crisis at a recent chamber conference when he warned of an "infrastructure emergency" in the city.

With 23 bodies, agencies and departments involved in the process of managing transport services, it is a wonder that anything significant is achieved. When you consider that there are eight local authorities involved, with eight development plans, one begins to understand the complexity of the issue.

Despite the commitment of many, we still find ourselves a cumulative 20 years behind schedule on key projects like the port tunnel, Luas, Quality Bus Corridors and completion of the C-ring motorway. Again, systems do not appear to be working. Providing viable alternatives for the public might encourage them to change their habits rather than simply forcing them to leave for work earlier and earlier.

Dublin Chamber, in its own policy document, "Action Now", recommends the establishment of a single transport authority for the city with the weight of the Taoiseach's office behind it. It would be an agency with real bite and could draw together elements of the excellent work being carried out by the Director of Traffic's Office, (DTO) and the National Roads Authority. The group within the chamber that prepared the report has members from CIE, Dublin Bus, DTO, Dublin Port, Aer Rianta, Department of Public Enterprise and many others with an informed interest in an efficient transport system for the city.

We support Quality Bus Corridors, yet only two of the 11 proposed are operational to a level close to QBC standards. Where these are in place there have been 20 per cent to 30 per cent increases in patronage - proving that if the public are offered a viable alternative they will use it. Our report, the third in a series over three years, divides the analysis of the problem into "short-term measures" that can keep the city moving and "key enablers" that can help assure the continued improvement of the system. One immediate priority is for resources to be made available for "Operation Freeflow" levels of management year round. Business wants best use made of resources and year-round Freeflow levels of enforcement is one way of doing this. In a recent survey 89 per cent of businesses in Dublin said that traffic management and enforcement were very important; and second in terms of importance out of nine projects for the city. Completion of the outer ring-road came first.

Other short-term measures supported include new road signage and markings, stricter enforcement of parking and the provision of "park and ride" sites. The chamber has also proposed the use of dedicated loading bays in busy city-centre areas where light commercials can park for a short period without causing an obstruction and the use of electric trolleys to make their deliveries within that area. In tandem with this, more than 70 per cent of businesses are willing to consider pre-8 a.m. and post-7 p.m. deliveries which could ease the pressure. The chamber is currently working with a business grouping to see how this might be facilitated.

Issues such as Dublin Port opening hours, availability of public transport for workers and others do of course have to be addressed.

If it is claimed that it is the commuter or the business taking delivery of stock that are contributing to the problem, then surely it makes sense for their needs to be taken into account in the decision-making process.

IN the absence of this level of involvement and consultation we risk having well-intentioned plans superimposed on the city without bringing along the citizens, business owners and employees, all of whom are key to its success.

Dublin Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of businesses that account for more than half of all employment in Dublin. It is very serious in its approach to what is the single biggest threat to the continued growth of the city. It is constrained, however, by its status as a non-statutory body and its absence from the DTO Steering Committee - an almost exclusively public sector body. Action now is what is required if the city is to keep moving. With 23 agencies, average speeds of 8.75 m.p.h. and a cumulative delay of 20 years in key projects, the prospects look daunting. The problem can be solved though.

It will take concerted action, hopefully led by the Taoiseach and with the chamber offering its full support.

Hugh Governey is president of Dublin Chamber of Commerce