The concerns retailers have about the Dublin Transport Plan are “easy to address”, according to the Minister calling for it to be paused. 

Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail Emer Higgins has called for the Dublin City Transport Plan to be delayed until at least 2025. 

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. 

Sections of quays on both sides of the river will be given over to cyclists, pedestrians and public transport – with new civic plazas at the Custom House and Lincoln Place. 

Deputy Higgins said she asked for the delay after speaking to “concerned” retailers in Dublin’s city centre. 

“I'm the Minister with responsibility for retail and at my first Retail Forum, the number one issue of concern to retailers was the Dublin City Transport Plan,” she told The Hard Shoulder.

“I acted on those concerns by setting up a meeting with Dublin City Council and the Retail Forum.” 

She said the meeting was “productive” - and retailers simply want “meaningful engagement” from DCC. 

“The question retailers are asking is, I suppose, is Dublin City ready?” she said. 

“Some retailers are saying would this be better timed after Christmas. 

“They've operated in such uncertainty in these last few years between COVID, the energy prices, and a reduction in footfall because of changed working patterns. 

“They're worried about further uncertainty into the lead-up to their busiest season.” 

The proposed plans for the pedestrianisation of College Green in Dublin. Image: DCC

Deputy Higgins said the retail forum discussed possibilities such as beginning the traffic plan after Christmas and introducing it on a “phased” basis. 

“Some of the questions were in relation to the actual timeframe that it operates from,” she said. 

“That's the kind of concerns I'm talking about, which I think are really easy to address if we have discussions about them. 

“I really do hope that we're going to get a win for everybody here – we get to a situation where this plan is rolled out and it's rolled out in a way that protects jobs.” 

Dublin transport issues

Presenter Shane Coleman said earlier today the same people who oppose the current traffic plan would have likely opposed pedestrianising Grafton Street. 

“I actually live in Dublin City Centre – and you know what? I'm sick of cars being put first and I'm sick of drivers being put first,” he said. 

“Let's put people first and let's put people who want to take public transport first – who want to cycle first and want to walk first.” 

The transport plan has already gone out to public consultation – with more than 80% of people saying they support plans to cut down on cars in the city centre. 

The Dublin Commuter Coalition call Deputy Higgins’ call for a delay an “absolutely unacceptable ministerial overreach”. 

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