FG criticises downsizing of Operation Freeflow

Dublin's Christmas traffic management campaign, Operation Freeflow, has been significantly scaled back on previous years, it emerged today.

Fine Gael castigated the operation, saying the Government has now completely abandoned any attempt to tackle short-term problems in favour of vague promises of future relief.

This year's plan will see the redeployment of 100 gardaí to work on the operation compared with 128 last year.

Although it was announced all non-emergency roadworks would be halted for the period, it is understood work on LUAS, the port tunnel and a number of other major roadworks would continue.

Traffic in Whitehall, Dundrum, and the Red Cow Inn intersection on the N7 are all affected by roadworks relating to the LUAS and the Port Tunnel. Major roadworks in Leopardstown and Wyattville are also set to continue.

Fine Gael spokeswoman Ms Olivia Mitchell said: "When added to the congestion caused by road works, the port tunnel and LUAS construction, the suburbs get 'no flow' for Christmas and not 'free flow'."

However, the Dublin Transportation Office (DTO) said 5,000 Nitelink buses will operate over the period and more than 70 late-night Darts will run over the nine busiest evenings.

The DTO also said there would be 3,000 park-and-ride spaces at rail stations, more than 7,000 taxis available - compared with only 3,000 last Christmas. It said 11,400 car parking spaces would be available in the city centre.