Ban on traffic crossing Dublin city proposed

A radical new traffic management plan from the DTO, the Dublin Transportation Office, that would effectively ban private cars from Dublin city centre, is to be put to Dublin city councillors within weeks.

The plan, devised in consultation with several agencies including Dublin Bus and the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA), would make it impossible for cars to use the city centre to cross north to south and vice versa.

In principle the retail core of the city stretching from the bottom of Grafton Street at College Green, through Westmoreland Street and D'Olier Street to O'Connell Street, and Dame Street from College Green to Christ Church would be car-free and restricted to public transport, with pavements widened for pedestrians.

However, in a concession to drivers, city businesses and car park owners, access would be maintained to existing multi-storey car parks in the centre.

The plan was approved by the board of Dublin Bus last December and is supported by the RPA, however it must be ratified by the city council before it can be put into action. While several council officials in the traffic and planning departments have copies of the plan it has not yet been circulated to councillors.

The chairman of the council's traffic and transport strategic policy committee, Labour councillor Seán Kenny has brought forward the next committee meeting from March to the end of this month so that councillors can be briefed.

The plan originated from talks, involving the DTO, the RPA and Dublin Bus in relation to the route of the new Luas BX line which will connect the Stephen's Green-Sandyford line with the Connolly Station-Tallaght line through the city centre.

The route has been the source of some anxiety for Dublin Bus which would have found itself competing with Luas in a constricted and heavily congested space. Removing cars from the equation should ease tensions between the bus company and the RPA.

Traffic across a new bridge at Macken Street, which begins construction next month, across Memorial Bridge and Butt Bridge at the Custom House would be allowed to cross the city, east of the centre.

To the west, motorists could cross Grattan Bridge at Capel Street and Father Mathew Bridge at Church Street, however the central spine of O'Connell Street and O'Connell Bridge would be out of bounds.

From February 19th five-axle HGVs will be banned from the Liffey quays. It is intended over time to include smaller lorries in this ban and ultimately discourage cars from driving along the quays.

Currently traffic lights at the bridges are weighted heavily in favour of traffic on the quays, however the DTO plan envisages this switching to give priority to traffic crossing the bridges.

Drivers wishing to access multi-storey car parks will be able to enter the city centre but would be stopped from crossing the city.

For example, a driver seeking to enter a car park on Fleet Street off Westmoreland Street could enter the cordon at D'Olier Street by turning left off Burgh Quay, could then turn right into College Street to access Westmoreland Street and Fleet Street.

However, if the driver tried to go left instead at College Street and continue in front of Trinity College they would be stopped by a red light and sign stating the route was for buses only. They would also be caught on camera and prosecuted.

Plans to eliminate cars from the city have been mooted for several years and much has already been done, including bans on turns from South Great George's Street on to Dame Street and Dorset Street on to North Frederick Street, among others.

Councillors are likely to make amendments before putting it out to public consultation, but most have already signalled their support for taking cars out of the centre. Some, however, remain concerned about increasing traffic in the inner suburbs.

Brendan Carr (Labour) said more restrictions on the "natural flow" through the centre would lead to increasing congestion in Phibsboro and on Manor Street. Seán Kenny said while the concept of reducing cars was "highly desirable" it remained futuristic until public transport improvements were in place.

ROUTES: public transport only

College Green, Westmoreland Street, D'Olier Street, Dame Street and O'Connell Street southbound.

No private transport crossing O'Connell Bridge.

Private transport permitted on new Macken Street bridge, on which construction starts next month.

Access to existing car parks will be permitted.