Bus Connects! Disconnects!

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“Bus connects! Disconnects! NTA! No way!”

These were the chants of a large crowd who marched on Saturday in Ballyfermot in protest at the proposed changes to the area under the BusConnects Liffey Valley to City Centre project.

The march began at the roundabout at the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and then proceeded to the Liffey Valley Bus Depot.

Gerry Ryan is owner of Centra on the Ballyfermot Road and on Claddagh Green [Cherry Orchard] and is also a resident of Ballyfermot. He has also recorded videos in preparation for the march and to provide information to residents regarding the campaign.

“The protest went very well, there was a good crowd of between 500 and 600 residents, and there were residents from Chapelizod, Inchicore and even people from Carpenterstown, who used to live in Ballyfermot but who still use the Ballyfermot Road regularly, who also came to show their support,” said Gerry.

Terry, Marie, Patricia and Cathy

A broad cross-section from the community took part in the march, as well as local representatives including Councillors Hazel de Nortúin (PBP) and Vincent Jackson (Ind).

“There was a good mix of residents, from the young to the middle aged to the elderly, a lot met us at Grange Cross on the way and up at the bus hub in Liffey Valley. We got our point across, it was a peaceful protest and Dublin Bus pulled out their buses from the bus hub in advance of the march arriving,” said Gerry.

Although the march halted traffic at the bus depot, there was a lot of solidarity for the protesters from motorists, according to Gerry.

“There was a lot of horn-blowing from motorists, there wasn’t one motorist who came across as discommoded, there was a lot of support for us up there,” said Gerry.

The businessman also feels that protesters at the march have become galvanised regarding their aims.

Jackie, Marie, Helen and Melissa at the march

“From talking to a lot of protesters, there is a unity about what the NTA [National Transport Authority] is proposing. The next protest will be bigger, there is a groundswell of support from the residents who are anxious for what’s next,” said Gerry.

The Ballyfermot resident was also fulsome in his praise for the Gardaí. “We had a Garda escort who were exceptional and who let the march flow as much as possible,” said Gerry.

It is clear that the march on Saturday is not the end of the campaign.

“We have a meeting on Wednesday [October 9] where we will discuss the possibility of further escalation, I want to touch base with as many residents as possible regarding further escalation,” said Gerry.

In a further development, the NTA have agreed to meet with business people and residents who will be affected by the changes, later in the month, according to Gerry.

“The Communications Officer for the NTA is coming out on October 22 or 23 to meet with business owners first, to allay our fears, and then with residents. We are looking to meet with a Senior planner and an engineer and to walk Ballyfermot Road with them step by step, to see the impact their proposals will have on Ballyfermot,” said Gerry.

As well as the impact on businesses and heritage, the effect on the transient traffic through Ballyfermot is another concern for Gerry.

“This traffic will be going into residential areas, which will make them unsafe for children in the future,” said Gerry.

Scan the QR code to watch the video of the march.