Dublin City Council needs more “ambition and vision” on pedestrianisation says business group

— Council proposing weekend only and time limited pedestrianisation for some streets in South William Street area.

DublinTown — which is usually known as a conservative business group when it comes to disrupting cars — has said that that Dublin City Council needs more “ambition and vision”.

The council’s plan for weekend only and time limited pedestrianisation for some streets in South William Street area comes nearly a decade after businesses in the area requested a more substantial trial of pedestrianisation.

The then Lord Mayor Andrew Montague facilitated a public meeting in the Mansion House but the proposals are understood to not have developed because car park owners and Brown Thomas were unhappy with the plan despite access to car parks being maintained.

It’s unclear if the councils plan will include provision for cycling on South William Street which is a primary cycle route in the Greater Dublin Area Cycle Network Plan or if the council will ban cycling on yet another route in the plan, which has seen little implementation.

Today the council said that from July 25 that it will trial pedestrianisation for weekends only from 11am-7pm in South William Street, Drury Street, Dame Court, Duke Street, and South Anne Street. It does not include Dame Lane, which was part of the proposals from businesses in the area.

DublinTown said: “While the first tentative steps by @DubCityCouncil on pedestrianisation in the city centre is a step in the right direction we need more ambition & vision.”

It added: “Pedestrianising a street 1-2 days a week doesn’t suffice. Businesses are struggling to survive they need all of our support!”

A number of councillors also posted about the proposals on Twitter.

Cllr ‪Janet Horner‬ (Green Party) said: “Exactly 1 year after our unofficial @streetsare4ppl liberation of S William Street (early trend-setters on the mask-wearing front!), the Council will have an official weekend trial of pedestrianising this area. Good for business, people and enviro – let’s make it permanent!”

Cllr Michael Pidgeon (Green) said: “Dublin pedestrianisation trials in Grafton Street area announced! Green bits below will trial pedestrianisation, weekends between 11am-7pm. Trial will run for four weekends beginning 25 July. Thoughts?”


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