The Dublin City Transport Plan has come into effect in an attempt to reduce traffic congestion in the centre. 

From 7am to 7pm, private cars can no longer drive down the north quays after Bachelor’s Walk and down the south quays after Burgh Quay. 

Buses, taxis, and cyclists can continue travelling normally, while diversions have been created for private cars. 

Road markings and signs have been updated to reflect the new rules. 

The plan aims to reduce traffic congestion in the city centre as the first stage of Dublin City Council's new transport plan. 

The Dublin City Transport Plan starts this Sunday 25th of August 2024. @LordMayorDublin James Geoghegan has urged motorists to make themselves aware of the changes.
Starting from 7am to 7pm this Sunday 25th of August, general traffic will not be able to go straight from… pic.twitter.com/Tu7LzlHHqq

— Dublin City Council (@DubCityCouncil) August 23, 2024

DCC Head of Technical Services Brendan O’Brien said the new system would not disrupt shoppers, despite concerns raised by local business owners. 

“You will be able to turn left onto O’Connell Street if you need to access car parks or do deliveries,” he said. 

“That is still open to you but through-traffic at that location will divert away to an alternative route.” 

Some local businesses objected to the transport plan after the Dublin City Centre Traders Alliance estimated a loss to the local economy of over €140 million by 2028. 

Dublin City Transport Plan

Mr O’Brien said the ban on cars at specific times will have the opposite effect on retail in the city. 

“The hope will be that it will start to make the city centre a much more attractive location,” he said. 

“Take yesterday, we had College Green [and] Dame Street closed off for the American football. 

“It gave people an impression of what that space could be like if it was permanently [car-free].” 

Sunday Independent motoring journalist Geraldine Herbert previously told Newstalk people should take time now to figure out alternative driving routes.  

“You're not going to be stopped, but you are going to be inconvenienced,” she said.  

“The argument is that it's actually to relieve chaos - the point of this is to give people options, because obviously if there are fewer cars on the road, the buses will move faster.” 

Congestion

Ms Herbert pointed out, however, the timing of the plan might not be the smartest. 

“I think it would have been better to introduce this at the beginning of August when it's holiday time and there's a distinct lack of traffic in the city,” she said. 

The plan originally saw private cars banned all day on a wider stretch of the north and south quays. 

DCC executives, however, announced they were loosening restrictions in July following concerns from some local businesses.