Traffic is choking Irish sports and stadiums

IS it permitted to air a few gripes? Perhaps we might find some common ground.

The theme is traffic, and the problems associated with getting into and out of sports venues the length and breadth of the country.

The issue is a very relevant one at this time of year, particularly since the introduction of the back-door system saw a significant increase in the number of inter-county matches.

It also resulted in the problem spreading to evenings of the week other than Saturday and Sunday.

The story emanating from all of the major GAA venues Clones, Killarney, Cork, Thurles, Galway, Kilkenny is the same. Difficulties getting in and, particularly, difficulties and long delays in getting out.

Most sports fans take a philosophical view of this because they have grown up with the problem. And many of those not interested in sport will shrug their shoulders and say that is the price you pay. But is it?

Is it good enough in this day and age to accept it as an insoluble problem and allow it to continue? Or is it time the issue was confronted and debate into seeking a better way started?

The reality is the problem will not go away; it will inevitably get worse.

Proof of this is evident on the streets of Ireland every day of the week, with a constant increase in the number of vehicles pushing for space on thoroughfares that are already overcrowded.

Enquiries made on behalf of this column suggested that the delays occasioned in Galway a couple of weeks ago, when Galway played Tipperary at Pearse Stadium, were the worst of all. The log-jam in the city lasted for several hours after the game.

All of these stadiums were built many years ago and they are all very close to the centre of the city or the town. This is at once both a blessing and a drawback.

It is good for business, of course, for the pubs and restaurants, but the convenience of this is offset by the inevitable concentration of cars around the stadium.

Sportspeople will argue that this is a civic problem and that it has nothing to do with the GAA. Perhaps, but the issue of catering for their customers is one for the GAA, and it should be pro-active in areas where it can help.

In this issue they could help by co-operating with the civic authorities in setting up an alternative to having fans drive their cars into the middle of the cities and towns.

They should have a sub-committee discussing with the authorities the possibilities of setting up park'n'ride systems where appropriate.

There could be a spin-off benefit to some GAA clubs situated on the outskirts of the cities and towns.

They could throw their venues open as car parks and offer patrons the use of their clubhouses and bars for snacks, lunches and liquid refreshment. They could even run a bus service to and from the stadium.

The Cork Con rugby club benefits in this way on the days of big matches at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Happily for the club, its ground is within walking distance of the stadium.

An enterprising publican on the south side of Dublin operates a shuttle bus service from his premises to and from Lansdowne Road on days of rugby internationals.

It is easy to find parking near his public house and he will have a couple of buses near the stadium to shuttle his customers back to his pub after the game as well.

The issue is not one for the GAA alone. The problems caused by traffic must be taken into consideration when the Government decides on a site for the proposed new stadium.

Abbotstown is totally unsuited to such an enterprise as it now stands. The problems in getting to Abbotstown on the current roadway system are too difficult for words.

The Government has a 750 million project to add an extra lane each way on the M50, but that will not be enough to solve all of the problems.

It is suggested in official quarters that the spectacular growth of the suburb of Blanchardstown, which adjoins Abbotstown, will ensure the completion of the major infrastructural developments which will solve the traffic problems associated with a new stadium. Perhaps but when will they happen?

It is impossible to have confidence in the Government when Mary Harney could be so cavalier in responding to complaints about rising prices with the ridiculous exhortation to "shop around".

Can you imagine! Just how many hours a week does she expect people to spend in their cars, driving from shopping centre to shopping centre.

The issues should be addressed, not ignored.