Have you faced gridlock and delays travelling this Christmas? Tell us about the pain

WHETHER IT’S GRIDLOCKED roads or crammed rail carriages, it can feel like the traffic in the run-up to Christmas is becomingly increasingly cruel.

People using Dublin’s M50 motorway reported lengthy delays this week after a bin lorry fire caused temporary closures, leading to a flood of complaints about the impact gridlock is having on commuters. 

It’s not been much better for anyone using public transport, with a senior Dublin Bus official recently citing data that showed traffic in the capital has become slower than London.

Irish Rail has told The Journal that the period from late September to this time of year is “always the busiest time of the year” on its network.

“It’s the peak commuting season, and this year we will see a new record high for passenger numbers on the Iarnród Éireann network, up for 50.7 million in 2024 and expecting 2025’s total to be in or around 55 million,” an Irish Rail spokesperson said.

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There are plans underway to revamp the roads network and to expand transport services – but some of these have faced repeated delays, whether due to planning struggles or financing from government.

With all this in mind, we want to ask you how traffic has been for you this Christmas? Have you faced gridlock?

Is traffic at its worst at the typical rush hour or is that changing?

Is this solely a Dublin issue or have similar issues been faced in other cities and in your local town?

And how would you like to see the logjam tackled?

Please send us about 250 words – a few paragraphs – to answers@thejournal.ie.

Let us know your name, age and what county you live in, and tell us whether you would prefer to remain anonymous.

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