Making Bus Connects work

An article I wrote for the Irish Independent

For too long public consultation was a tick box exercise rather than a real process of critical engagement.  For all its stresses and strains, I believe the Bus Connects project is being designed and redesigned in a way which shows that things can change.

I think most of the public and their elected representatives came into this process with an open mind. They were well disposed to the idea we need radical solutions to tackle the gridlock,social division and environmental pollution that is choking our city. 

At the many consultation meetings held by the National Transport Authority (NTA), you could see public support starting to wane.  People were at first worried about changes to their own local route and those fears increased when front gardens were at stake.  However, opposition really crystalised around the growing sense that running two traffic lanes in each direction was going to undermine some of the best urban villages and tree lined streets in our city.  

The red ribbons put up to show which trees were due to come down brought it home to people how much was at stake.  People wanted solutions but not if the price was to turn every street into a highway, where local character is sacrificed to provide for yet more vehicles. 

It was interesting to see how the NTA responded to those criticisms. In my opinion they have been willing to look at different options rather than just digging their heels in. Not every route has been redesigned to everyone’s satisfaction but where a glaring gap in service provision was identified, then routes have been changed.  

In Inchicore there was a first glimmer of hope as the final design was adapted to keep the buses moving and the streets green.  In one of the worst affected communities in Kimmage, residents worked well together and suggested practical alternatives, which the road engineers are now looking at with genuine interest.  I hope something similar can happen on Mobhi Road, so we keep the trees and still improve the cycling and bus conditions. 

None of the solutions are easy.  Moving away from the four lane design will require some restriction to car traffic, either by providing for local access only, introducing new one way systems or holding motorists back a few seconds at each traffic light, to insure buses get through on time, every time. What we have also learnt is that providing a safe cycling network is critical to the success of the project.  

The interesting thing about this consultation process is that by being open to change it has also helped nurture a wider understanding that the only way this will work is if we are willing to move towards a city that is no longer dominated by the car.   We now need political will to support the hard decisions that have to be taken in both the Dail and in the local authorities. 

If we are willing to be brave and flexible in our proposals then I think we might also have the public on our side.