Dubliners have a unique opportunity to get out and enjoy the city centre this weekend, with five streets in the Grafton area going car-free.
It is the first of four weekends that will see motorists banned from the area from 11am to 7pm on Saturday and Sunday.
The trial involves:
- Anne Street South from the junction of Dawson Street
- Duke Street from the junction of Dawson Street
- South William Street from the Brown Thomas car park exit to Chatham Row
- Drury Street from Fade Street to the Drury Street Car Park
- Dame Court from Exchequer Street.
Things are picking up at the new trial pedestrianised area around Grafton Street. Needs a few improvements but it's a million times better than the College Green trial last year. Here's a small walkthrough: pic.twitter.com/nbrRu4fay6
— Dublin Commuter Coalition (@DublinCommuters) July 25, 2020
These shoppers on South Anne Street have been enjoying the extra space this afternoon.
“I think it is a great idea,” said one. “I think it is really good. There’s more space now for people to walk.”
“I think it is beneficial,” said another. “The traffic was obviously bad on this street before and people should be able to walk freely around two is my opinion.
“it probably takes more traffic out of the city and there are more bikes and more people walking around. For me, it’s a good thing.”
A number of streets in Dublin city centre have been pedestrianised for today and tomorrow as part a trial that is set to run for the next four weekends, 25-07-2020. Image: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall IrelandDublin City Council will be asking people for their feedback on the trial through an online survey with more streets to be pedestrianised in the coming months if things go well.
Dublin Chamber is urging people to get out and show support for local businesses.
Spokesperson Graeme McQueen said the pandemic has offered unique opportunity to transform the Dublin experience.
“We are so used to going abroad, you go to other cities and you can sit out and have a coffee or something to drink or to eat,” he said.
“You come back to Dublin and it has never really been a thing but we think the time is now to change that. We think COVID probably gave us a surprise opportunity to get going with this type of thing.
“It will be very interesting to see how people react to it this weekend. Streets like South Anne Street you can now sit out on which is going to be fantastic. It is a lovely street.”
Clarendon Street looks much nicer after the recent facelift. pic.twitter.com/as4V2S7fa5
— Dublin Commuter Coalition (@DublinCommuters) July 25, 2020
He said the plan is especially good news for families with small children:
“One of the big problems with going into the city centre a lot of the time, especially with young kids, you have to keep hold of the hand, you have to be careful about where you walk; there was always traffic going around,” he said.
“This weekend is going to be different. All of that is going to be gone. The space is going to be there for people to wander into and enjoy and we hope as many people as possible get out and support the businesses in the city centre.”
I know the black bollards are fixed into the road but these 'no parking' cones should really have been removed. No need for them at the moment. And hopefully the DCC truck on Drury is gone. pic.twitter.com/Lp6aSfQ3CX
— Dublin Commuter Coalition (@DublinCommuters) July 25, 2020
Some businesses owners have expressed concern they weren't involved enough in setting up the trial.
Brendan O'Brien, Head of Technical Services at Dublin City Council said officials will be assessing the trials after each weekend.
He said he is hopeful as many people as possible will come in to the city and fill out the online survey.
