800 people, in only 14 hours, have so-far signed a petition in support of the Dublin city centre Transport Study.
The petition was created in response to an attempt to rally businesses against the transport plans by Ray Hernan, the chief executive officer of retailer Arnotts and chairman of the Dublin Town business association.
Plans include pedestrianisation of Suffolk Street and the north-west corner of St Stephen’s Green, public transport only sections of the quays, wider footpaths and a plaza area on one half of College Green. But writing to businesses on Wednesday, Hernan said that while he commended the goal of the study, the “proposed plan to achieve this goal is, in my view, extremely blunt and has the potential to significantly impact your business irrespective of whether you are in the commercial, professional, hospitality or retail sector.”
Support for the transport plan in the form of the petition was started by Rothar, a Dublin-based social business which runs Cafe Rothar on Fade Street, and shops/workshops in Phibsborough and Dun Laoghaire.
“We, citizens of Dublin, who live, work and have businesses in the city, support the creation of a pedestrian and cycling space in Dublin city centre as outlined in the Transport Plan. We want quieter streets, where families can take a stroll and cross the street safely. We want our streets to be transformed into a space where people can communicate and kids play. Studies have shown also that businesses thrive when a city becomes pedestrianised and more accessible by bicycle, as consumers spend more money when they are there. For all these reasons we support the pedestrianisation of College Green, the development of the Luas Cross city and to the quays being only accessible by public transport, foot or bicycle.”
Details of the Transport Study can be found at dublincity.ie/TransportStudy. Feedback can be given by emailing [email protected] or filling in this survey, which should only take two minute.
Here’s a sample of why people said that they signed the petition:
Wes Shaw DUBLIN, IRELAND
“The Arnotts CEO is recycling arguments that have been proven wrong time and again, both here and abroad; business, and it is just one factor, will prosper. Priority also should be given to those in the city, not visitors up from the country; driving commuters have to share, not dominate, the one space we all have.”Bernard van Giessen DUNDRUM, IRELAND
“Bikes are the solution to less traffic, less noise and less pollution. I come from a country where bikes are the main mode of transportation. In so doing Dutch cities are thriving, both commercially and as well as being an urban space in which people can enjoy the things a modern city has to offer.”Liam Egan DUBLIN, IRELAND
“College Green is Dublin’s most significant architectural public space. At present it is virtually impossible to appreciate this because of the constant flow of traffic.”Robyn Lawlor DUBLIN, IRELAND
“It will make Dublin a much more beautiful city and attract more tourist.”Mike Spillane BALLYGARVAN, IRELAND
“As a frequent visitor to Dublin from Cork, I know how unfriendly Dublin is for cyclists and pedestrians. Making Dublin more cyclist and pedestrian friendly is an investment that will pay off for everyone, businesses included as can be seen in other cities around the world.”James Ryan DUBLIN, IRELAND
“We need DEDICATED cycle lanes, not just some paint on the road. The amount of times I’ve been brushed by busses and taxis is insane. Fix this.”Flora Fleischer DUBLIN, IRELAND
It will help Dublin to become a more pleasant place and a good reason to cycle or walk or take the luas into the city center rather than drive. Let’s face it driving and finding parking and paying for it is a pain anyway.
MORE: Arnotts’ CEO rallies businesses against Dublin city transport plan