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Concerns raised over proposed Dublin city traffic changes

Major traffic changes are being proposed for the River Liffey’s north and south quays in Du...
Newstalk
Newstalk

13.02 21 Feb 2017


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Concerns raised over proposed...

Concerns raised over proposed Dublin city traffic changes

Newstalk
Newstalk

13.02 21 Feb 2017


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Major traffic changes are being proposed for the River Liffey’s north and south quays in Dublin city centre.

The changes are being proposed to ensure Luas Cross City trams do not face delays when they come into operation later this year.

The new line will cross the Liffey at both O'Connell Bridge and Rosie Hackett Bridge.

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With up to 20 trams set to travel in both directions every hour, the Council is considering options to allow trams to cross the bridges efficiently. If they stop on the bridges, the long trams would potentially block traffic from moving along the quays.

According to The Times, the proposed changes would see bus services prioritised through additional bus lanes, as well as a ban on all cars using Eden Quay.

Motorists would also be unable to turn right from Bachelors Walk on to O'Connell Bridge, with that turn instead reserved for public transport and cyclists.

Image: Google Maps / Luke Benson

The council is said to be hoping the changes would be in effect around the same time as testing begins on the new Luas tracks - expected to begin in July-August, ahead of full operations getting underway at the end of the year.

Conor Faughan of the AA spoke about the proposals on this morning's Pat Kenny Show.

He started by saying: "On the whole, it's going to be a very positive thing for the city. I mean we've been putting up with Luas construction works for years."

He explained that concerns have arisen as a result of a couple of "serious pinch points" - with O'Connell Bridge a particular area of concern.

"Essentially they're saying they can't fit everything on Bachelors Walk, so their proposal is to just remove the cars," Conor observed.

"No matter what way you do it, you just don't have capacity at the junction to cater for all the movements."

He pointed out that his organisation 'falls out' with DCC over the potential block on drivers attempting to turn down towards Eden Quay, the IFSC, and the 3Arena.

"[The Cross City] will definitely net improve the city," he argued. "But their attitude towards individuals who are currently in cars is brutally unsympathetic. It's essentially - 'we have to do this for the bus, we have to do this for the Luas, we're taking the chance to do this for the cyclist... and if you're in a car, go away.'

"What disappoints me is that in carrying out all of this, it's almost to the point of being spiteful."


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