Restrictions on north Dublin traffic today

Traffic restrictions which are expected to be in place for the next two years come into place in the Coolock to Whitehall area of north Dublin this morning.

The restrictions, to facilitate the building of the Dublin Port tunnel, will reduce traffic between the Coolock Interchange and Whitehall on the N1/M1 to one lane in each direction.

Motorists on the route are likely to face delays of up to 15 minutes and Dublin Corporation is encouraging people to use buses and taxis, as priority will be given to public transport.

Commuters have been advised to use the Malahide, Finglas and Swords routes bus corridors, while motorists travelling to or from Dublin Airport should leave extra time for the journey.

Details of the alternative routes with maps have been included in advertisements by Dublin Corporation, one of which appears on this page.

In addition the corporation has advised motorists:

A southbound Bus Lane will operate for the entire period through the construction works area which is from Santry Bridge to Whitehall. The slip road, southbound, from Shantalla Bridge will be open to public transport only.

Alternative routes to and from the city/airport which will be sign-posted.

Motorists approaching Dublin from the South/West should use the M50.

Motorists travelling from the city should travel via the Finglas Road to the M50 or via Griffith Avenue and Ballymun Road to the M50.

Motorists travelling to destinations to the South/West of Dublin should use the M50.

Motorists travelling southbound into the city should us the sign-posted route via the Malahide Road and Fairview.

There will be no right turn from Swords Road, southbound, to Collins Avenue, between 4 p.m.-7 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Additional information about the Traffic Management Plan is available from the Corporation's website www.dublincorp.ie.

The Irish Road Haulage Association has criticised the corporation for failing to provide an alternative route for trucks. According to the association spokesman, Mr Gerry McMahon, some 60 trucks an hour pass through the Whitehall area coming from Dublin Port. "It is absolutely ludicrous that Dublin Corporation has failed to offer a comprehensive and manageable solution to our members and to the Dublin motorist," he said.