Relatively clear roads get staff to work early

Employers can thank the hauliers for getting many workers out of bed and into work earlier than usual yesterday morning.

In cities, notably Dublin, many commuters left home much earlier than usual to avoid protests only to find the roads relatively clear. Some workers found themselves at their desks with as much as an hour to spare, though returning home after work was in many cases not as smooth.

Dublin Bus spokesman Mr Joe Collins said many buses made very good time as they did not have to compete with trucks unloading along routes in the city. Dublin Bus had 16 people stationed around the city to monitor the traffic so buses could be diverted if necessary.

Ms Emma Caulfield, the AA Roadwatch spokeswoman, said most city and town centres were quieter than usual. "A lot of people who went to work did not take their cars and used alternative transport. When you have that much advance notice you can make other plans. All city centres were fine."

"Quieter than normal" certainly described the usually chaotic M50 roundabout at the Lucan exit in Dublin. At 8.30 a.m. yesterday, traffic swept around the roundabout while the usual southbound queues at the nearby tollbridge were absent.