Hundreds of parking spaces on Dublin quays to be removed

Hundreds of on-street parking spaces on Dublin quays are to be removed under Dublin City Council's plans for the regeneration of the city centre.

The spaces are likely to be reduced on a phased basis in the coming months, in an effort to enhance the riverside area. "We have a major opportunity with the opening of the Port Tunnel to revitalise the river, so we'll be looking at taking the parked cars off the quays. We feel there's a very strong case for that," city planner Dick Gleeson said.

The opening of the tunnel would "change the content" of traffic in the city, he said, by removing heavy goods vehicles from the quays and making pedestrian use of the area more practical and pleasant. "We're creating a major new public domain corridor with the river forming a navigational spine through the city, to draw people from east to west. Removing the cars will give us more opportunity to think about extending the boardwalk westward."

The majority of on-street parking on the quays is currently around upper and lower Ormond Quay and the Four Courts.

The planned reduction in on-street parking follows the introduction of increased charges for on-street parking yesterday.

The maximum parking charge of €2.50 per hour will now apply to half of the current 900 metered spaces in the city.