It’s Thursday, the hump has been cleared and Friday is just around the corner.
We’ll be here with you until 9am with traffic, travel, weather and everything else needed to make your morning as smooth as possible.
Good morning!
Welcome to Thursday. It’s all grey clouds and Luas strikes.
Expect knock-on delays and extra traffic in Dublin city, but don’t worry! I’ll be here with you until 9am with all the info needed to get you to where you’re going asap (as smoothly as possible).
Send me any tips or pic you’ve got to @cormfitz, cormac@thejournal.ie or just comment below and I’ll be sure to pick them up.
Right, let’s go.
Well, now let’s look at the weather.
I saw all clouds and grey skies on my way in here and that seems to be case around the country.
It will be mostly cloudy with outbreaks of rain and sleet (sleet!!) spreading south eastwards to all areas this morning.
There will be bands of heavy rain as well as prolonged showers of rain or hail. There will also be a risk of thunder with highest temperatures from 7 to 11 degrees.
Grim.
No, your eyes don’t deceive you – AA Roadwatch is reporting that it’s snowing in Naas. SNOWING.
See any snow where you are? Tweet me @cormfitz, email cormac@thejournal.ie! (not while driving)
The AA are reporting an early breakdown from the left lane in the northbound section of the Port Tunnel. Take care on approach.
Early reminders from Dublin Bus and the Luas reminding us that yes, in fact, the Luas is not running today.
Drivers are striking today, as other work grades have accepted a deal from Transdev. It’s hard to see where this will all end.
Dublin Bus reminding customers of delays due to the strike. If you’re still in bed – get up you’re going to be late!
Yep, you’d know there is a strike alright.
Live Drive reporting that Dundrum Bypass is already backed up all the way back to Wyckham Way.
It’s taking at least 30 minutes to Milltown and that time is set to rise as the morning goes on.
Right, just one more mention of the strike before we move on to other areas (I bet you can’t wait).
AA Roadwatch are saying the main roads to be affected by increased traffic aree:
Give yourself extra time if travelling these routes.
Have unconfirmed reports of it being “super” busy on the M50 already.
This is coming in from Syd:
“M50 super busy. ALMOST standstill.”
Checking this against Google Maps data and we can conclude that Syd is probably southbound.
It seems as though traffic is stretching back from Tallaght all the way to Ballymun, and it’s not even 7.45 yet.
This from Syd:
Best of luck if you’re out there in that!
More generally in Dublin, the AA are reporting delays in all the usual spots.
It seems that traffic lights are out on the N81 Tallaght Bypass at the Cookstown Way/ Whitestown Way junction. Careful on approach.
There are inbound delays in Fairview – back towards the Malahide Road junction.
Heading in the same direction and there are delays at Guild Street/ Seville Place:
Take care, there’s been a crash on the Malahide Road at Casino Park heading inbound. It’s blocking the right lane.
IT’S SNOWING IN DUNSHAUGHLIN
This coming in from Irene. It may not be the purest looking snow, but snow it seems to be.
How are things in you neck of the woods? Tweet me @cormfitz or email cormac@thejournal.ie. (Not while driving)
With regards to that crash in Clontarf.
AA Roadwatch reporting it’s inbound at Clontarf Golf Club.
While Live Drive and Dublin City Traffic Management are saying that it’s outbound:
Either way, take care on approach in the area.
Well, reports now that the crash has been cleared now anyway.
Multiple reports of traffic being bumper to bumper at Stoneybatter back up Manor Street to Prussia Street and into Cabra.
This is following on from very heavy traffic yesterday morning as well.
Heading into town? Maybe you would be faster walking:
AA Roadwatch reporting that gardaí in Kildare say that the snow in Kildare has stopped. Road conditions are still wet in the area, however, so drive slow.
Let’s move away from Dublin and take a look at Cork.
AA Roadwatch reporting:
Busy as always approaching the Dunkettle Interchange on the N8 Dublin Rd, the N25 Waterford Rd and the N40 South Ring Rd from J9 Bloomfield.
Also busy on the N28 Ringaskiddy Road heading north from Maryborough Hill to Mount Oval and then eastbound from Raffeen Bridge to Shanbally Cross.
Busy across the country, it would seem.
This coming in from Brian:
It’s look like traffic is seriously blocked in the area of Milltown, a knock-on from the Luas strike (it can’t help that the weather is manky, either).
This is the main route AA Roadwatch flagged as being blocked today, and it looks like it’s living up to the hype.
Further in, and it’s busy all along the Grand Canal – from Dolphin’s Barn through to the Leeson Street Bridge.
Here’s the view from Harold’s Cross Bridge.
Dublin City Traffic cams give us a glimpse of traffic across the city, and it doesn’t make for nice viewing.
Here’s the N32/ Malahide Road:
The M50 at Tallaght:
The M50 at Ballinteer:
And the N11/ Trees Road:
AA Roadwatch reporting a crash now on the M50 northbound before the off ramp at J11 Tallaght blocking the right lane. It’s busy from J12 Firhouse back to J10 Ballymount.
Lorcan Byrne sent in a letter from the frontlines. It reads:
Got on 44 bus in sandyford village at 7.40 still only at windy arbour bus is full, stops are full and bus just driving by them.
Looks like traffic coming in from the south side is a little bit out of control.
How is it for you? Send pics or tips to cormac@thejournal.ie, or tweet @cormfitz.
DON’T do this while driving.
A quick round up of today’s top stories.
In case you hadn’t noticed, we still don’t have a government. 62 days now since the election and talks are continuing.
We’re reporting from the Prison Officers Association annual conference. This report focuses on officers’ fears that gangs in prison are controlling the streets from the outside.
In other news, male students are getting more As in higher level maths than their female counterparts according to statistics from the State Examinations Commission.
And, you know, there’s some sort of strike on in Dublin…
In Limerick, and the AA reporting a fuel spill off the M20 Cork/ Limerick Road northbound on the slip road for Junction 4 Patrickswell. Caution advised on approach.
While the impact of strikes is being felt more heavily in the south of Dublin, traffic coming in from the north is still busy in the usual areas.
Coming in along the Swords Road it’s busy from Drumcondra Road back to Whitehall.
Also busy along the Phibsboro Road back down towards Botanic Avenue.
Aaaand it’s busy through North Strand, back towards Fairview and beyond towards Clontarf.
Few updates here coming in from Live Drive about traffic times.
Busy, busy, busy.
In Dublin city centre, it’s busy along the North Quays, at Seville Place along the Samuel Beckett Bridge, as well as on D’Olier Street.
Busy too along the Grand Canal – from Harold’s Cross through to Leeson Street Bridge.
Right, folks, it’s time for me to go.
Traffic still very heavy coming in from the south side – so I’m sure there are a lot of people not yet where they’re supposed to be.
Hopefully it will start easing soon. I’ll keep this liveblog open in case of any major developments on the roads in the next hour or so!
In the meantime, it’s Poetry Day Ireland – so here’s Anthony Hopkins reciting a T.S. Eliot poem about the pain of growing old and the disillusionment felt from modernity – Enjoy!
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