Additional measures aimed at reducing the use of private cars in Dublin city centre are set to be introduced this summer, reports RTE.
Dublin City Council said that the initial phase of the Dublin City Transport Plan, which prohibited cars from sections of the north and south quays starting last August, has led to notable and consistent drops in traffic levels. New rules will now target Westland Row and Parliament Street in the south city area.
The first phase of the Dublin City Transport Plan came into effect in late August after months of discussion and revisions.
This phase brought in bus gates on certain parts of the north and south quays, operational from 7am to 7pm daily, reports RTE.
A report reviewing the plan’s first six months, to be presented to Dublin City Council tomorrow, states there has been a “substantial and sustained” drop in traffic near Bachelors Walk on the north quays and Burgh Quay and Aston Quay on the south side, with a rise in bus usage also noted.
Preparations are underway for the next stage of the plan, which will allow only public transport and cyclists to turn left from Westland Row onto Pearse Street, reports RTE.
A new right-turn will be permitted at this intersection, while the section from Pearse Street to Sandwith Street (eastbound) will be changed to two-way.
The report detailing the updates says the roadwork is ongoing, expected to take around ten weeks, and should finish by June.
The report notes: “All of Westland Row and Pearse Street will still be accessible by all modes with a different approach route being required for some areas,” reports RTE.
Parliament Street will also become traffic-free this summer, based on a layout previously trialled over recent summers.
One portion will stay accessible to ensure availability of disabled parking and entry to the court at Dolphin House.
The area between the quays and Essex Gate, and the stretch from Essex Gate to Lord Edward Street, will be pedestrianised, though traffic will still flow eastbound between Essex Gate and Essex Street East, reports RTE.
Cyclists will be able to travel in both directions, and a new cycling link will be established over Grattan Bridge connecting to Capel Street.
The council said that details of the changes will be shared with local businesses and residents in the coming weeks, reports RTE.
Green Party Councillor Feljin Jose remarked that implementing the bus gates along the quays was the most “tricky” part of the transport plan, and he expects future phases to further improve the city and speed up bus services.
“The bus gates on the quays have been hugely successful. The figures from Dublin Bus showing bus journey times on the quays going down by a third speak for themselves. I think the changes to Parliament Street are a no-brainer. The street is full of cafés and restaurants that would benefit from pedestrianisation and it’s a natural progression from the success of Capel Street. The changes in Westland Row and Pearse Street will greatly improve bus journey times in the city centre. Pearse Street is key for a lot of bus routes. A small number of cars are making that turn onto Pearse Street but it has a huge impact on buses serving areas like Cabra, Blanchardstown, Drumcondra, Lucan, Liffey Valley and Leixlip,” added Mr Jose, reports RTE.
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