Taken from “Southside People” newspaper - Vol. 14 No. 19 Dated: 20 May 2009

Dublin City councillors voted to introduce a car ban in a part of the city centre last week, despite opposition from business groups.
Councillors voted 15 to 12 in favour of the peak-time prohibition around College Green from Mondays to Fridays.
The Dublin City Business Association warned that up to 2500 jobs and €200 million in revenue could be lost if plans for severe car restrictions were given the green light.
The Dublin City Chamber of Commerce also argued that premature introduction of a bus gate at College Green would lead to firm closures, job losses an lower commercial revenue for the city.
The chamber had asked for the proposal to be put on hold until several traffic mitigation measures were put in place alongside key improvements in public transport services.


Despite all the requests made, the Dublin City car ban goes ahead.
In times like this, the car ban doesn’t seem to be the best idea at all.

The Automobile Association has joined growing opposition to the introduction of a car ban on College Green in Dublin.The restriction is being sought by city planners as a way of easing congestion and improving bus services.

Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey and Energy Minister Eamon Ryan have criticised those city councillors who oppose the bus gate at College Green scheduled to come into effect from July.

However, the leader of the Fine Gael group of councillors, Gerry Breen, has predicted it will be rejected, especially as the postponement of Metro North works mean it will not be strictly necessary.

City centre retailers say restrictions on private cars would damage business at a time of economic difficulty.

Now the AA has also come out against the plan.

Spokesman Conor Faughnan, who is a member of the council’s transport committee, said there would not be enough improvement in Dublin Bus services for it to be justified.

The transport committee is due to vote on the plan on 16 April.