Drivers facing further disruption amid latest M50 upgrade

Motorists in Dublin are facing further disruption due to the latest phase in the upgrade of the capital's M50 motorway.

The work is aimed at transforming the N4 Lucan interchange into a "free-flowing" junction where traffic can move continuously.

The National Roads Authority confirmed today that the section of the M50 which passes through the interchange will be closed for four nights over the coming week as part of the changes.

The closures will begin at 10pm on Friday, Saturday, Monday and Tuesday nights and will be finished before the rush hour traffic begins the following mornings.

Traffic restrictions and diversions will also be put in place over the coming months while the upgrade is completed.

"The closure of parts of the M50 ring road at a major retail centre over four days in the run-up the Christmas will undoubtedly be a source of major inconvenience and frustration to commuters and shoppers alike," said Green Party transport spokesperson Eamon Ryan.

"But this is only the beginning of their troubles. There are extensive works planned for the busiest interchange on the M50, which will be ongoing for the next four years."

"An emergency traffic management plan to cope with these disruptions must now be put in place.

"We need to provide more buses and give them greater priority on the road so that people have a real alternative to sitting on the motorway in their cars. Such a plan will have the dual benefit of reducing the number of cars on the road and reducing the commuting time for public transport journeys in the area.

"We are calling on the Government to make an immediate and responsible response to the upcoming road works on the M50 and to put an end to their laid-back, haphazard approach to Dublin's traffic chaos."