Dublin city centre is “clogged with traffic” and congestion charges could be a “very effective” way to get the city moving, according to Friends of the Earth.
It comes after Dublin City Council transport chief Brendan O’Brien last week said he does not view congestion charges as a “suitable tool” in Dublin.
He told the council’s transport and finance committee that it would be difficult and expensive to introduce the charges in the short term – but might be easier in the future.
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Friends of the Earth Senior Climate Advisor Sadhbh O'Neill said that while congestion charges tend to be unpopular, they are in place in major cities across the world.
Congestion
She said a charge could free up some much-needed space in the city centre.
“Particularly to make space for the really dramatically increased number of buses we are going to see coming into the city arising from BusConnects,” she said.
“Our streets are limited in space. There is only so much traffic they can accommodate, so it will be necessary to reduce the number of cars on the road to provide this space.”
Unpopular Charge
Ms O’Neill said the charge is never popular – but it’s been proven to work the world over.
She said it is an idea that should be considered in light of the “really ambitious” Dublin City Centre Transport Plan published in September.
The plan will see cars banned from a range of new areas in the city – with space given over to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport instead.
It was pointed out that other cities such as London, which has a £15 (€20.60) daily congestion charge in operation across a 21km square area, have adequate public transport to give commuters a second option.
Public Transport
Ms O’Neill said this was a real issue in Dublin as current public transport options can only accommodate 30-40% of commuters who travel to the city for work.
She said, however, that BusConnects and upcoming active travel projects will increase the range of public transport options available in Dublin in the future.
“The aim is to make the city more walkable and cyclable as well to have that option,” said Ms O’Neill.
She said travel in Dublin has now become so unpleasant due to the city being “clogged with traffic” that other options will need to be considered.
The climate advisor also warned that noise and pollution from cars, as well as “poor junction design” leading to long waits at traffic lights has been deterring walkers and cyclers from commuting in Dublin.
Reporting from Robert Kindregan
