22nd September 2004

PRESS RELEASE

Govt.’s indifference to Car Free Day is symbolic of its road building emphasis

As Green TDs take to bikes highlighting need to join up Luas lines

The 6 Green Party TDs led by Leader Trevor Sargent arrived by bicycle today at the Luas terminus, St. Stephen’s Green where they distributed postcards and information to the public, highlighting the Green Party’s ‘Join the Dots’ campaign to link the two Luas lines in the centre of Dublin.

Planning spokesperson, Ciarán Cuffe TD, said today, “We are distributing postcards today addressed to the Minister for Transport urging him to 'join the dots' and connect the two LUAS light rail lines in the centre of Dublin as part of our Car Free Day campaign. We need a public transport system that is joined and integrated. What is the point of going to all this expense and disruption if you are not prepared to join the lines and offer Dubliners a proper integrated transport system "

The Green Party accused the Government of indifference for its poor response to car free day and said that under a Fianna Fáil Government people using public transport, bikes or walking would always come off second best to the car.

Green Party Transport spokesperson, Eamon Ryan TD, said that the reality for commuters is that, under this Fianna Fáil/PD Government people using public transport, bikes or walking to work will always come off second best to the car.”

“Critics will say that Car Free day is only a symbolic exercise. The problem however is that the indifference by the authorities to the day is symbolic of their lack of concern about the social, economic and environmental disaster we are creating under current transport policies. Many people simply do not have a reliable public transport choice. The €16 billion Roads Programme and the decision to widen the M50 in advance of any new public transport projects will only add to the already severe congestion.”

“The Government and City Council could do a lot more to highlight Car Free Day. For instance, in Amsterdam, the centre of the city becomes a car-free zone for a day. No cars are allowed within the A10 ring road that encircles the city. Events, from pop concerts to skating, are held throughout the day and the city council organises activities to raise awareness about pollution and saving energy