Luas hampers European car-free day in Dublin

Luas works in Dublin means the City Council is unable to close any major streets in the capital on European Car-Free Day next Monday.

Last year a number of streets were closed even though the day clashed with the All-Ireland final and was particularly busy.

A spokesman for Dublin City Council said the amount of traffic in the area coupled with disruption from the Luas works meant that street closures could be "catastrophic for traffic in the city centre".

Instead the Corporation is holding a street party on Sunday, September 21st, which will be opened by the Lord Mayor Cllr Royston Brady. The Mayor will cycle along a traffic-free Sean McDermott St at 2.30 p.m. to encourage people to "get on their bike".

There is better news for Dublin Bus passengers who can avail of free journeys between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Monday. Company spokeswoman Ms Grainne Macken said the company chose this time rather than rush-hour because many buses are at or close to peak capacity at that time.

The company will also be giving out 20,000 of a new type of ticket allowing unlimited bus travel in a 90 minute period.

Bus Éireann is offering limited free travel to customers in Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Athlone, Sligo and Balbriggan between certain times. Intending passengers are advised to contact Bus Éireann for details.

Iarnrod Éireann is not offering free journeys. To support the car-free day the company is launching a series of guides to its car parking and bicycle facilities for Dart and commuter rail passengers.