Business owners want more consultation on proposals to reallocate traffic in Dublin.

More than 80% of submissions supported the Dublin City Centre Transport Plan, which aims to end the dominance of cars on the city’s streets. 

The plan would ban cars from certain sections of the north and south quays, make Parliament Street traffic-free and create new civic plazas at the Custom House and at Lincoln Place near the back entrance to Trinity College. 

Dublin Town CEO Richard Guiney agreed these plans “are going to happen”, and rightfully so, but there are still some final steps. 

“I still think there's a lot more consultation to be done with the public and indeed the business community,” he told Newstalk Breakfast. 

“The kinds of concerns raised by the business community are things like issues around deliveries, waste collections, services such as plumbing. 

“All of these are solvable, but they will take some more work... we’re about 75% to 80% of the way there.” 

He also said the Government must plan a “wider regional strategy” to reduce further car use. 

Congestion in Dublin

Engineering and Transportation Professor Brian Caulfield said a car reallocation and reduction can be easily done.

“It's been done elsewhere,” he said. “We’ve done it in Dublin itself as well – look at Grafton Street. 

“The reason why we have to do this because Dublin is the second most congested city in the world.

“In 2022, congestion costed about €300 million.” 

Addressing business concerns, Prof Caulfield said business in London went up 25% in areas that became pedestrianised and improved public transport.

“There are concerns but there are ways around it,” he said. “We need much better consultation on how we deliver.” 

Mr Guiney agreed we need to “green” the city and reduce vehicle emissions, and that will best be achieved through a holistic, collaborative approach.