Undertakers want use of bus lanes

Undertakers are seeking permission for the emergency use of Dublin’s bus lanes.

The funeral trade in Dublin has asked Transport Minister Seamus Brennan to open up the bus lanes for processions that are running late.

Spokesman David Flanagan said: “We are aiming to facilitate bereaved families at what can be a very traumatic time for them.

“Traditionally, funeral removals take place at peak teatime traffic time. We all know how long it takes to travel at that point of the evening – how much worse is it for mourners to sit in a limousine behind a hearse?

“It is very difficult to explain why these unnecessary delays take place.

“We want the minister to give permission to utilise an under-used resource that is already in existence. We are not looking for one cent. We want to use bus lanes in cases of emergency – not all the time, only where we know are not going to arrive at a church on scheduled arrival time."

Mr Flanagan said that to combat non-mourning drivers taking advantage of the development by slotting into a cortege, police could maintain a watch on the number of cars attending funerals.

He underscored confidence that that minister would respond positively to the request.

He said: “We are talking about bereaved families. I believe he will say yes because he is a practical man with a lot of common sense.”