Survival Guide for the Bus Eireann Strike

Bus Eireann have announced that they will strike from midnight tonight. Inevitably this is going to mean extra traffic on the roads and thus extra delays. If you're looking to avoid the worst of it, here are a few tips to make the next few days as painless as possible

1) Car sharing is always an efficient, cost effective and fun way to travel. If you live near any of your work colleagues, why not relish the opportunity to spend even more time with them by arranging a car pool? You can sing songs, share life experiences and learn new things about each other. Alternatively, if you don't have any colleagues/friends, you can always find some at www.carsharing.ie.

2) Plan your journey in advance, and leave plenty of extra time. There's going to be a lot of extra cars on the roads tomorrow so it's worth working out in advance what route you're going and whether there are any potential alternative, less popular ways of getting there. Plan to leave early to be safe. Best case scenario you arrive in work early and get some sort of certificate at the Christmas party.

3) Bear in mind that Bus Lanes remain in operation. This is official policy during every industrial action of this kind and is so that the lanes can remain in use by other bus companies, emergency service vehicles, taxis and cyclists. If you're not one of those things, stay out of the bus lanes!

4) Check the traffic before you leave. We say it again and again but the best way to avoid traffic is to anticipate it. On LiveDrive we broadcast between 7-10am and 4-7pm and we'll be posting regular updates on our twitter account @LiveDrive as well between those times. But you knew that already, didn't you?

New 'CrowdAlert' Traffic App

A lot of our listeners have got onto us recently and asked about the possibility of using Smartphone apps to help in dealing with traffic. Well, we've got some news on that front.

Dublin City Council are taking part in the EU funded INSIGHT project, part of which aims to develop a smartphone app 'Crowd Alert' that allows users to give feedback on traffic incidents taking place in their area, and verify details for DCC's Traffic controllers, enabling those in the Traffic Management Centre to respond quicker when collisions and other incidents happen around the city.


The app is now in the beta-testing phase, and DCC are looking for members of the public with Android phones to download the app and test it out. They're looking for users to experiment with the features of the app and report events (even fake ones) to test how well the app handles it.



To download the app and find out more information on how it works. Search for 'CrowdAlert' on Google Store (or follow this link):  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gr.aueb.boutsis.crowdalert.app

Delays in Rathcoole and Greenogue Ind Estate

A truck has broken down at a really awkward spot on the Roundabout at Fitzmaurice Bridge on the Rathcoole side of the bridge.

Rathcoole Village is currently very heavy. Gardai are on point duty but have to close the roundabout to let traffic through from Rathcoole Village and from behind Avoca.

Traffic coming out of the Greenogue Industrial Estate is currently experiencing long delays to get to the N7. To avoid the delays, go through Newcastle Village to Peamont Rd to Nangor Rd onto the Outer Ring Rd to J2 Kingswood.

Major Delays on the N7

The N7 is down to one lane due to a serious incident on the N7 outbound just after City West. There are currently delays on the N7 from the Longmile Rd, that's just under a 10 KM traffic jam and will take an hour to clear.

Citywest has ground to halt and if possible drivers should also avoid the area. 

The quickest alternative is to take the N4 outbound to J4, then the R120, rejoining the N7 at J4 Rathcoole. Drivers can also take the the N81 and rejoin the N7 via Saggart however, Saggart village is taking 15 minutes to clear and the N81 is busy around the stadium. 

Abnormal Load Movement

Around midnight tonight an exceptionally sized truck will travel form the South Dublin Docks to Dublin South Docks to Carrickmines ESB Substation, Ballyogan Road, Co. Dublin. The Journey should take about 3 hours.

The vehicle will travel along the following route –

Dublin Port South, Sean Moore Road, Beach Road, Strand Road , Merrion Road, exit Dublin City Council administrative area at junction of Trimleston Avenue, enter Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council administrative area continue Rock Road, Mount Merrion Avenue, Stillorgan Road, Kilmacud Road Lower, Drummartin Road, Sandyford Rotary (M50 Overbridge) turn left onto Leopardstown Road, Leopardstown Road,Murphystown Way, Ballyogan Road

Traffic diversions will be in place along the route for the duration of the movement. Please use alternative routes when travelling in these areas. Parking restrictions will also be in place along the route.

Abnormal Load Movement

A exceptionally-sized vehicle will leave Dunnstown Substaion, Co. Kildare en route to the Dublin North Docks at 9 pm on Thursday 29th August 2013. The estimated time of arrival at the North Dublin Docks is 05.30 am on Friday, 30th August 2013.

The vehicle will be travelling along the following route within Dublin City Council’s administrative area 

It will enter Dublin City Council (DCC) Administrative area at M50/N32 roundabout, Continue onto the N32 ( to 2nd roundabout), Turn right onto the Grange Road and continue, Turn right/immediate left to Raheny Road, Turn left onto Howth Road, Turn right onto James Larkin Road/Clontarf Road. Turn Left onto Alfie Byrne Road, Turn Left onto East Wall Road, Continue on East Wall Road travelling contra flow onto Promenade Road, Enter Dublin Port

Traffic diversions will be in place along the route for the duration of the movement. Please use alternative routes when travelling in these areas. Parking restrictions will also be in place along the  route.

Bray Summer Fest Air Show

OK so summer fest has been going very well so far this year but it really kicks into another gear this Sunday when the Air Show takes to the skies.

This is set to be another major traffic boiling point for the summer. With the weather the way it is, and the festivals popularity growing each year you can expect 80 - 100,000 people possibly making their way to the seaside town.

So what do you need to know?

Firstly the road closures: 

Strand Rd in bray will be closed on Sunday 21st from 1 to 7 PM

Secondly the restrictions:

From 12 noon to 7pm on Sunday the 21st July 2013 only residents and businesses will have access to the area east of Main St and Vevay Road from Seapoint Road to Newcourt Road.

Access to Quinnsboro Road will be restricted to local residents and to those using the car park at Florence Road / Quinnsboro Road. 

Access to the car park at St Thomas’s School will be available via Novara Avenue. 

Parking Restrictions

From 7am on the 21st July 2013 parking will be restricted in the following areas:
Seapoint Road (Emergency Route)
Putland Road from Strand road to Sidmonton Road. (Emergency Route)
Meath Road (West Side from Putland Road to Convent Avenue)

Convent Avenue (East Side) from Sidmonton Road to Meath Road.

Public transport: DART, Dublin Bus and Finnegan’s Bray services who are running a shuttle bus service from car parks at Southern Cross Road, the Dell site and Presentation School on Putland Road. Buses will drop passengers off at Convent Avenue and will operate on a circuit from Southern Cross Road, Vevay Road, Putland Road, Meath Road, Convent Avenue, Sidmonton Road, Putland Road Vevay Road and Southern Cross Road. Pick up points after the event will be at Meath Road. .

Free Car Parking:

Florence Road Car Park
Presentation School, Putland Rd
St Thomas School on Novara Avenue
Holy Redeemer Church Car Park on Herbert Rd
Old Dell Site at Boghall Road / Vevay Road
Carisle Grounds, Seymour Road

Don't try an abandoning your car shenanigans as strict enforcement will be carried out throughout the town and the day.

Access Routes

To avoid traffic congestion at the northern end of the town before the event traffic approaching Bray from the M50M11 will be directed by signage to use the Bray South (Southern Cross Road) exit. J7

Traffic approaching Bray from the Greystones and Southern Cross Road will be directed via signage and barriers to park in the Presentation College on Putland Rd. Access down Newcourt Rd and Putland Road will be restricted to residents only.

Traffic coming into Bray town centre from Killarney Rd will be directed to car parks at the back of the Holy Redeemer Church Herbert Rd and at St Thomas’s School Novara Avenue.

Traffic coming into Bray for the air show from Castle Street will be directed to turn left on to Novara Avenue and park in St Thomas School.

Longitude Festival Traffic Info

OK so lots of you folks will be making your way to Longitude tomorrow and over the weekend in Marlay park. We personally hope you take public transport

There's a shuttle bus:
The shuttle bus will leave from Custom House Quay at 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, and 19:00.

The buses will return to the City Centre from 22:00 each day.

Return Tickets only being sold at €10 on the day or €9 for advanced online booking. http://www.marathonsportsbooking.ie/Tours/Marlay_Park_Coach_Service OR www.bushiredublin.net


Dublin Bus

These Dublin Bus routes serve the Grange Road entrances of Marlay Park immediately outside the concert site:

16

Airport / O’Connell Street to Grange Road

116

Burlington Road to Grange Road

161

Dundrum Road Luas Station to Grange Road


These Dublin Bus routes serve Ballinteer Shopping Centre approx. 15 minutes walk to the concert site:

14

Beaumont via Amiens Street to Ballinteer Shopping Centre

75

The Square Tallaght / Dun Laoghaire to Ballinteer Shopping Centre

If you MUST drive then

From Dublin city centre via Ranelagh, Clonskeagh, Goatstown, Sandyford, Grange Road and then onto College Road for car-parks.

From the M50 -

Option 1 - exit M50 at Junction 12 Interchange, signposted R823, Ballyboden.

Follow Scholarstown Road, Taylor’s Lane, turn right onto Whitechurch Road and then left onto College Road. Entrance to car-parks is off College Road.

Option 2 – exit M50 at Junction 13 Interchange (Dundrum).

Follow Brehonfield Road R133, direction Rathfarnham. Turn left at Naomh Eoin GAA Club onto R822 (signposted Ticknock). Turn right at traffic lights at Taylor’s Three Rock Pub onto College Road R113.

Entrance to car-parks is off College Road just be warned there is limited parking on site.

Dublin Pride Parade this Saturday

Pride Festival is in full swing once again and as usual the main event is the parade! It takes place this Saturday June 29th and every year it gets bigger and better.

It's the 30th anniversary so you can expect bigger numbers than ever before, with the expectation that around 30,000 people will be taking part. Assembling from 11am at the Garden of Remembrance on Parnell Square and starting at 2pm, the parade will travel towards O’Connell St and College Green before finishing up at Merrion Square.

To facilitate the event, Merrion Square West, Merrion Square South and Merrion St Upper will close from 6:30am to 10pm on Saturday. Parnell Square North will close from 8am to 2pm. There will also be rolling closures as the parade makes its way through the city centre.

If you are travelling to the event, as always we recommend taking public transport.

See the Dublin Pride website for more info!

Run for your lives........or for 5 miles!!!!!!!

The first of a series of races takes place on June 29th in Phoenix Park.  Registration from


Road Closures:
Chesterfield Av (Mountjoy to the Phoenix) - 9:45am to 11am
Ordnance Survey Rd - 9:45am to 11am
Acres Rd - 9:45am to 11am
Back Rd (Mountjoy to Odd Lamp) - 9:45am to 11am
Upr Glen Rd - 9:45am to 11:30am
Military Rd - 9:45am to 11:30am
Chesterfield Av (Phoenix to Lord Walk) - 9:45am to 11am

Gate Closures:
Chapelizod Gate  - 10am - 11:30am (Except for hospital traffic)
Knockmaroon Gate - 9:45 - 11:30am
Castleknock - 9:45am - 10:45am
Ashtown Gate - 9:45am - 10:45am
Cabra gate - 9:45am - 10:45am

The Vikings Are Coming!!! To Clontarf!

 Tomorrow and Saturday the gathering of The Vikings takes place on the promenade in Clontarf.

There'll be tons to do for all the family plus a look at how the Vikings made different crafts.

Here's a  link to a promo video looks like a lot of fun for everyone.Plus it's free.

Traffic will be a little slower in the area s a result as people find parking and slow to look at what's going on. So expect delays in the area.

North Circular Rd Gate Closing in the Phoenix Park

The NCR gate of the Phoenix Park will close from 10 AM to 4 PM for 4 days from Monday the 10th of June to Thursday the 13th for essential maintenance.

Traffic management will be in place between Garda HQ and the Parkgate Street exit

Ireland V Faroe Islands

It's world cup qualifier and we are expecting there to be extra numbers at the game.

The game kicks off at 7.45 and restrictions will be in place on Herbert Rd, Lansdowne Rd and Shelbourne Rd.

Londonbridge Rd and Bath Ave are closed until the 20th of July.

As always we recommend using public transport to get to and from the game.

Is it fair to charge for usage for the full length of the M50?

According to a study by the National Roads Authority there has been an increase in usage of the M50 by 26% since 2008. Most likely because the M50 now works as an efficient ring road to bypass the city, keeping congestion out and getting road users home relatively quickly.

The report  suggests that 4 new toll points should be put in place along the M50, these tolls would possibly net around €100m a year in revenue.

As it stands the M50 is only tolled for drivers who use the Westlink Bridge. The bridge was built by NTR and opened in 1990 and was the first tolled stretch of motorway in the country. NTR were granted a licence to toll the bridge for 30 years.

The NRA bought the Westlink in 2008 for €600m but it also cost around €1bn to upgrade the M50 (that's about €31.2m per kilometer)

Approximately 100,000 drivers use the Westlink per day but the number of cars which use the M50 per day is thought to be three times this number.

The government have come out and said that they do not intend to add any new tolls to the M50.  If they were to add tolls it could be seen as a fairer tolling policy for people who use the entire length of the M50 or it could end up costing those who cross the Westlink  even more in accumulated tolls.

One obvious problem would be increased traffic in the city and minor roads as drivers try to avoid yet another road charge. Thus reducing the amount of people who use the M50 and lowering projected revenues.

Do you want to spread the burden of M50 Tolls or would you rather keep the current system in place?

We don't think it will happen soon, but it is likely to be somewhere in the future. Leo Varadkar has said he has no plan to introduce the tolls. however if we are faced with the congestion which was part of the daily grind of the M50  once more should it at least be considered?

Sutton / Howth Rd Delays Sunday the 9th

Cemetery Sunday Mass will take place in St. Fintans’s Cemetery, Carrickbrack Road, Sutton on Sunday June 9th

Every year a huge amount of people attend this service so expect delays in the area. A number of traffic and parking restrictions will be in place. Restrictions are due to be in place from 1.30pm to 7pm.

If you don't have to travel in the area, I'd advise you to avoid tit.

SOME GOOD ADVICE - SLOW DOWN

From 7 AM this Friday 31st May to 7 AM on Saturday 1st June 2013

An Garda Síochána, along with other stakeholders, will run Operation “Slow Down”. The objectives of the Operation are to raise awareness of the dangers of inappropriate and excessive speed, reduce the number of speed related collisions, and therefore save lives and reduce injuries on our roads.

For the past seven years, there has been a year on year decrease in the number of road fatalities in Ireland. However, as we move into the second half of 2013, there have been 11 more fatalities on our roads than at this time last year. This brings to 75, the number of people killed in a road traffic collision to date.

Based on collision data to date in 2013 over three quarters (78%) of fatalities have been a driver, passenger or motorcyclist. Similarly more than one third (37%) of fatalities have occurred on Thursdays and Fridays. Excessive or inappropriate speed is a significant contributory factor in road traffic collisions.

There will be highly visible speed checkpoints on national primary and secondary roads, carried out by local members and the Garda Traffic Corps, and also by GoSafe vans.

Each Garda Division will have an area locally where members will be available to give road safety advice and distribute leaflets. Garda members who are not responding to emergency calls will be leading by example - reducing their speed, and driving at speeds appropriate to the prevailing conditions.

Here's some shocking stats folks

Road Deaths by Day of Week – 2013 to date

Day	2013
Monday	8
Tuesday	7
Wednesday	10
Thursday	14

Friday	14
Saturday	12
Sunday	10

Road User deaths per category 2013 to date

Road User Type/Age	TOT	%
Pedestrian	12	16
Driver	42	56
Passenger	10	13
Motorcyclist	7	9
Pillion Passenger	0	0.0
Pedal Cyclist	4	5
Unknown	0	0.0
Total	75

Year to Date Road Traffic Fatalities by County

County	Fatalities
Carlow	2
Cavan	2
Clare	1
Cork	4
Donegal	4
Dublin	6
Galway	7
Kerry	4
Kildare	6
Kilkenny	2
Limerick	3
Louth	1
Mayo	5
Monaghan	3
Offaly	2
Roscommon	2
Sligo	3
Tipperary	8
Waterford	3
Westmeath	1
Wexford	4
Wicklow	2
Total	75

June Bank Holiday 2010 to 2012

Detail	2010	2011	2012
Fatalities (people)	3	1	6
Fatal collisions	3	1	5
Serious injuries (people)	6	12	11
Serious injury collisions	3	8	4
MAT Checkpoints	1,034	1,229	874
MAT Breath tests	16,648	13,572	7,645
Intoxicated while driving incidents	233	198	172

All figures are current as of 28th May 2013 and are provisional, operational and subject to change.

Results for Operation Slow Down - July 2012

Operation Slow Down was conducted over 24 hours from 7am Friday 6th July to 7am Saturday 7th July 2012.

Over 72,000 vehicles were monitored by GoSafe resulting in a rate of detection 1 in 466. The rate of detection for the previous 5 days was 1 in 242.

During Friday 6th July there were 929 fixed charge notices issued for speeding

- 633 non-intercept (GoSafe and Garda operated)

- 296 intercept (Garda only)

During Saturday 7th July there were 873 fixed charge notices issued for speeding

- 606 non-intercept (GoSafe and Garda operated)

- 267 intercept (Garda only)

Forbidden Fruit 2013

Festival Season has truly kicked in with the first of the big ones on this weekend right on our doorstep. Forbidden Fruit, now in it's second year takes place this Saturday and Sunday in Kilmainham in the grounds of the Museum of Modern Art.

How will it affect traffic?

The N4 will be heavier than normal as will St Johns Rd and the Grand Canal. Island Bridge, Kilmainham and Inchicore will all see an increase in volume. 

With Bloom also on in the Phoenix Park we advise you all to use public transport.

Public Transport

By Luas: Red line to Heuston Station, 5 minute walk to Museum entrance on Military Road. For further information about Luas please click here. There are great park and ride facilities on the red line at The red Cow, Cheeverstown and Tallaght stops.

By bus: There is a special Bulmers Bus which leaves Harcourt St at corner of St Stephen's Green from 1.30pm Sat-Sun and return after the event. IT'S FREE!!

The Drop off point for the buses is East Gate (Main IMMA Gate)

Dublin Bus: Buses to Heuston Station (5 minutes walk via Military Rd): 26 from Wellington Quay; 51, 79 from Aston Quay; 90 Dart Feeder Bus from Connolly and Tara Street Stations to Heuston Station.
Buses to James St (5 minutes walk via steps to Bow Lane onto Irwin St and Military Rd): 123 from O'Connell St/Dame St; 51B, 78A from Aston Quay.

By Train: Train service departs 23.30 Saturday only from Hueston station stopping at: Parkwest, Clondalkin, Adamstown, Celbridge, Naas, Kildare. Tickets purchased at station.

Bloom In The Park

Green fingers, families, horticulturalists, lovers of the outdoors good times and good food will all descend on the Phoenix Park this week.

From tomorrow Thursday the 30th of May until Monday the 2nd of June Bloom will take place on the Phoenix Park. Last year 80,000 people visited the festival and we are expecting the same again this year.

The Ashtown Gate in the park will be closed unit Tuesday the 4th of June.

Forbidden Fruit Festival is on Saturday and Sunday in IMMA in Kilmainham, this will add to traffic on the N4,St Johns Rd, Inchicore and the Grand Canal. 

The best advice is to use public transport.

There will be a curtsy shuttle bus to bloom from Parkgate St, The Luas stop at Hesuston Station will drop you near Park Gate St. Dublin Bus have a number of services which will drop you around the park, full details of which are at the bottom of this post.

If you are driving to the event please note there are two car parks:

Red Car Park A

Serving City Centre Traffic from the Main Gate (Parkgate Street) and the NCR Gate. From the Main Gate (Parkgate Street) continue on to Chesterfield Avenue and take the first right off the roundabout. Continue to the end and take a right onto the Back Road and continue straight. Take a left onto Odd Lamp Road. Red Car Park A is located off this road. Do not continue up Chesterfield Avenue to the Phoenix Monument as this is a pedestrian entrance only.

Green Car Park B

Serving both City Centre / NCR traffic North City & M50 Traffic from the Castleknock Gate and White's Gate. From the Castleknock Gate continue on to Chesterfield Avenue and take the first left off the roundabout (Mountjoy Cross). Continue along the back road until you reach Green Car Park B.

Blue Car Park C

Serving North City & M50 Traffic from the Castleknock Gate and White's Gate. From the Castleknock Gate continue on to Chesterfield Avenue and take the first left off the roundabout (Mountjoy Cross). Continue along the back road until you reach the Ashtown Castle Gate turn and follow the stewards instruction.
Buses

Dublin Bus provides a wide choice of bus routes to and from the outskirts of the Phoenix Park.

Bus stops are located at the following points outside the Park's walls:

To stop on the Castleknock Road and enter the Phoenix Park through the Castleknock Gate:

Route No. 37 - From Hawkins St. to Blanchardstown Road South

To stop on the Navan Road and enter the Phoenix Park through the Ashtown Gate:

Route No. 37 - From Hawkins St. to Blanchardstown Road South
Route No. 38 - From Hawkins St. to Damastown
Route No. 39 - From Hawkins St. to Ongar
Route No. 70 - From Hawkins St. to Dunboyne

To stop next to the North Circular Road Gate:

Route No. 46 A - From UCD Belfield to Phoenix Park - Infirmary Road - North Circular Road Gate

To stop near Parkgate Street, Islandbridge Turnstile and Chapelizod Gate:

Route No. 25 - From Pearse St to Lucan (Dodsboro)
Route No. 26 - From Pearse St to Palmerstown (Cherry Orchard)

Your Chance to Control Traffic

No one is more of an armchair traffic controller than our very own John Neary who came across this great little simulator. 

So get comfortable and get ready to waste hours if not minutes of your time trying to solve a couple of basic traffic issues.

You can increase and decrease traffic flow, add a lane closures, traffic lights It's the traffic nerds Call of Duty!

Updated Tall Ships traffic restrictions

A number of closures are in effect until 10pm on Sunday due to the Tall Ships Festival. See Dublin City.ie, Garda.ie & our blog for more info & take public transport where possible. 

Closed til 10pm on Sunday: 

• Custom House Quay 
• Northwall Quay and all routes between it and Mayor St 
• City Quay and all routes between it and Pearse St 
• Sir John Rogerson's Quay and all routes between it and Hanover Quay 

 Also: 

• Beckett Bridge, Guild St & Cardiff Lane closed 8am to midnight today, 10am to midnight tomorrow, 8am to midnight on Saturday & 8am to 8pm Sunday
• The East Link Bridge will be closed to traffic intermittently, and private cars will only be charged €1 to cross for the duration of the event
• South Dock Rd closed til 8pm on Sunday 

Take public transport if possible:

• Dublin Bus operates to the city centre with diversions in place on some routes for the Tall Ships Festival, see Dublin Bus.ie (routes affected -  15a/b, 33d/x, 142, 151, 747) 
• Irish Rail services the Docklands station 
• Luas Red Line runs to the Docklands. Luas has a number of Park and Ride facilities, see Luas.ie. The Luas Red line service will run every 3 minutes between Heuston and The O2 from 1PM today.Don't forget, for the months of August and September, you can enjoy free parking at the Carrickmines Park and Ride on the Luas Green Line.