Several Dublin city councillors have expressed alarm at plans to water down car restrictions or delay the new traffic plan for the city.
Councillors yesterday heard that proposed restrictions on cars in certain parts of the city have been significantly weakened in the latest version of the plan.
Under the new plan, there will no longer be a ban on private cars along a significant section of the North Quays.
The 24-hour ban on private vehicles along a section of the North and South Quays has also been reduced to a 12-hour ban from 7am to 7pm.
The changes mean that cars will now travel the North Quays right up to O’Connell Street Bridge where they will be able to turn left onto O’Connell Street.
Under the previous plan, all private vehicles had to divert onto Jervis Street away from the North Quay.
Instead, drivers will be allowed to travel a further 500 metres along Bachelor’s Walk and drive onto O’Connell Street.
On the South Quays, private vehicles will be banned from Burgh Quay to Aston Quay.
Drivers will still be allowed to turn right from Burgh Quay to O’Connell Bridge, giving them continued access to O’Connell Street.
Private cars will also be allowed to travel the full length of both quays from 7pm to 7am every night.
Car restrictions in Dublin
Social Democrats councillor Paddy Monahan says the Dublin City Transport was agreed to help other forms of transport move through the city.
"Dame Street is a nightmare," he said. "There are easily 100 people trying to cross the bottom of George's Street at any given time waiting for the lights to change.
"My bus today was delayed as always by single-occupancy cars - does anyone here actually drive into the city centre?"
An artist's impression of the South Quays in Dublin after the traffic plan changes. Image: Dublin City CouncilDCC Traffic Chief Brendan O’Brien told councillors that the changes were made following discussions with several Disabled Persons’ Organisations (DPOs).
Organisations such as Voice of Visual Impairment (VVI) said they were concerned about how the car restrictions would affect disabled parking permit holders (Blue Badge holders) accessing the city centre.
Mr O’Brien said that because Blue Badge Holders are not defined as a separate class of road user under current legislation, they could not be added to the list of exceptions to the traffic restrictions.
As a result, the plan was changed to “maximise the area accessible for general traffic including Blue Badge holders”.
Mr O’Brien also noted in his report that the proposed restriction on cars driving from Westland Row to Pearse Street will be delayed to 2025 due to changes being “more extensive than previously envisaged”.
Dublin transport plan
The change to the Dublin City Transport Plan comes after Minister of State Emer Higgins asked DCC to delay the plans until next year.
She made the call after a lobby group representing city centre car parks and some larger businesses claimed it could have a negative impact on retail sales and jobs.
The plan is currently due to begin in August.
DCC Chief Richard Shakespeare said he is currently waiting on an economic impact assessment from the lobby group and would make a decision on delaying the plan after receiving it.
