Private Vehicle Ban Implemented By Dublin City Center
Dublin City Centre has recently transitioned to a new traffic plan as sections of the north and south quays are closed to private cars. The scheme which is initiated today is the first part of the overall transportation strategy planned by the Dublin City Council to remove unnecessary vehicle travels in the central areas of the city.
The new private vehicle ban is aimed at reducing through traffic where vehicles are cutting through the city just to get to their destinations without operating any business, having a job or doing any shopping. As the Council stated it aims at reducing traffic and ensuring pedestrian areas are encouraged.
Traffic, Transition, The Execution of the Private Vehicle Ban
According to the new rules, cars are no longer allowed to ply on the northern quays from Bachelors Walk to Eden Quay. However, drivers are required to make a U-Turn right and proceed on O’Connell Street.
On the south quays it limits the possibility of direct through movement for cars from Burgh Quay to Aston Quay: to get through the driver has to turn right into O’Connell Street or left into D’Olier Street. Also, traffic cannot make a left turn from Westmoreland Street to Aston Quay.
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These restrictions are normally implemented from 7:00am in the morning to 7:00 in the evening but not on buses, taxis and cyclists. It will be possible to have vehicles operate as they are ordinarily outside these contact hours and no alteration will occur to disabled bays, loading bays or taxi ranks.
The Council has stated that there are going to be little changes to access hospitals and car parks in the city centre but may have to follow new routes by car.
Council’s Reasoning and Outreach For Private Vehicle Ban
Dublin City Council has been quite clear that it commenced this private vehicle ban with an objective of reducing through traffic which is estimated to be at 60% and barely interacts with local businesses or services. In this regard, the Council believes that by curbing such traffic, it will promote a healthier and more conducive atmosphere downtown.
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To ensure that the public complied with the private vehicle ban, the Council staff were positioned last night across the north and south quays to direct motorists and clarify the new traffic pattern.
Most of the drivers respected the new regulations; however, some continued to use the restricted routes. The Council has also engaged Sat Nav providers and Google Maps to ensure that traffic information provided is the latest.
Retail Owners Express Concerns Over Private Vehicle Ban
Even though the Council has made efforts towards preparing for the changes being made by drafting and implementing new policies in relation to the reforms, local business stakeholders have raised considerable concerns as regards to the effects of the new private vehicle ban reform.
Retail Excellence Ireland (REI), an association for the retail industry, has urged a stop to the plan stating its possible adverse impact on the sector which has already experienced increased costs, anti-social behavior, and retail crime.
For instance, car shoppers are dominant in city retail as they spend around 60% more than users of other means of transport according to Jean McCabe the CEO of REI.
She said any impediments that may direct these high-spending customers away from the city centre would be catastrophic to business. McCabe added that the city should better work on the issue of making people accept the change before seeking to bring about drastic changes in the traffic patterns.
Council’s Future Plans About the Private Vehicle Ban
Dublin City Council has agreed to regularly assess the effects of the recently introduced private vehicle ban. A working group will assess the impact of the traffic restrictions and after two weeks it will be ready to make changes if needed by the Council.
Brendan O’Brien, technical services director at Dublin City Council, agreed that the aim is to combat traffic congestion and boost the appeal of the city centre, but they are also sensitive to the opinions of the business community and others.
O’Brien added that the remaining phases of the transport plan such as the traffic changes in Pearse Street and Gardiner Street are set for next year. The Council is committed to ensuring that through traffic is minimized while at the same time ensuring that essential service providers and businesses have easy access.
Private Vehicle Ban – What will be the Consequence?
Corresponding to this new traffic management plan in Dublin City Centre, the efficiency of the private vehicle ban is going to be monitored. One of the goals of the Council is to enhance the environment within the city but at the same time is reactive towards the concerns of the business sector.
