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Dublin businesses welcome "u-turn" on Eden Quay traffic plan

Dublin City Council is reported to have altered its plans to restrict traffic along Dublin's quay...
Newstalk
Newstalk

10.37 29 Apr 2017


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Dublin businesses welcome &...

Dublin businesses welcome "u-turn" on Eden Quay traffic plan

Newstalk
Newstalk

10.37 29 Apr 2017


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Dublin City Council is reported to have altered its plans to restrict traffic along Dublin's quays.

In recent months, councillors have been considering ways to change traffic flow to allow for Luas Cross City services.

The newly extended Luas service is expected to begin operating by the end of the year, with trams set to cross the quays at O'Connell and Rosie Hackett bridges.

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The service will require some changes to the existing traffic flow as the long trams would potentially block traffic from moving along the quays if they stop on the bridges.

One set of proposed changes for the quays suggested prioritising bus services through additional bus lanes, as well as a ban on all cars using Eden Quay.

Eden Quay. Image: Google Maps

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.

Councillors, members of the public and motorist and business groups had raised concerns over aspects of the plan and its potential impact on the city centre.

However DCC is now moving away from one of the major proposed restrictions, according to The Irish Times.

While plans to extend bus lanes and restrict O'Connell Bridge traffic are expected to progress, the paper reports that one lane of general traffic from Bachelors Walk to Eden Quay will be allowed.

The Council's "u-turn" has been welcomed by business group Dublin Chamber.

CEO Mary Rose Burke argued that while her group supports efforts to encourage more people to use public transport, there has been a 'lack of information' over how redirecting cars in some areas will affect other parts of the city.

She observed: "The Council has proposed a number of individual plans for areas such as College Green and Eden Quay, but there is a real lack of clarity about how these changes will all work together. Any changes in these areas won't just affect the core centre - but the entire city, out to the M50.

"If we're serious about making parts of the city car free, then any changes must be made in tandem with an increased focus on improving the public transport offering and big improvements to cycling and walking infrastructure."


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