Operation Freeflow hailed

Gardaí and transport chiefs are to meet soon to review the progress of Operation Freeflow, which wound up today.

Dublin’s traffic management initiative for Christmas and the New Year began on November 27 and was designed to facilitate the swift passage of 700,000 shoppers and workers in and out of the city each day.

The Department for Transport said today that the Dublin Transportation Office will meet as soon as possible with gardaí, local authorities and transport service providers to review Freeflow’s performance over the past six weeks.

“Feedback will be sought from each agency and recommendations may be made on improving the scheme for next year if necessary,” a spokesperson said.

Freeflow, now in its tenth year, was launched by former Junior Transport Minister Ivor Callely, who later resigned over mounting controversies.

Dublin Chamber of Commerce today praised the traffic initiative for bringing more consumers into city centre shops, pubs and restaurants.

Chief executive Gina Quin said: “In previous years, people may have chosen the out-of-town shopping centres like Blanchardstown, Tallaght and Liffey Valley, but they all seemed to be back in their numbers again this year.

“A lot of work was done to promote the unique atmosphere and experience of shopping in the city centre during Christmas and the New Year.

“Freeflow definitely helped. Things would have been a lot worse if it wasn’t in place.”

Mr Callely resigned in early December after a number of controversies including revelations that a builder paid for the redecoration of his house in the 1990s.

Operation Freeflow assigned gardaí to 170 traffic black spots, expanded public transport services and provided five park-and-ride facilities on the city’s outskirts.