What is the Dublin City Centre Transport Plan?

You may have heard of the Dublin City Centre Transport Plan in the news recently, but not be too sure of what it’s all about and how it might affect you if you regularly travel in and out of Dublin city.

In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at the new plan’s proposals and what they mean for motorists and other city users.

What is the Dublin City Centre Transport Plan?

The Dublin City Centre Transport Plan is a map for the future that aims to reduce traffic in Dublin and encourage more people to walk, cycle and use public transport to get around.

It was put together by Dublin City Council in partnership with the National Transport Authority and is part of the Dublin City Development Plan 2022-2028 and the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area.

The plan has both supporters and critics. While the first traffic management changes were due to be rolled out in August, there have been concerns about the plan from disability groups, and business lobby groups who fear that it will negatively impact retail and other businesses operating in the city centre.

Main aspects of the plan

1. Traffic reduction

The plan aims to reduce traffic in Dublin by up to 40% and proposes traffic management changes that would restrict access to private cars in busy parts of the city centre like the North and South Quays. Diversions are also planned to reduce the amount of through traffic using the city centre to get to destinations outside of Dublin.

2. More emphasis on sustainable modes of transport

To encourage less car dependency, the plan outlines more investment in making Dublin a nicer place for pedestrians and cyclists, including safer cycling routes like the Liffey Cycle Route and wider footpaths in busy areas. Improvements to public transport for city commuters are also on the cards, including extensions to Dart, Luas and bus services.

3. Improved public spaces

The plan points to a significantly enhanced city centre environment by reducing the number of cars and creating more green areas and new public spaces for residents, workers and visitors. For example the removal of traffic between Eden Quay and Talbot Memorial Bridge would leave space for a new Custom House Plaza in front of this historic landmark.

4. Environmental benefits

Limiting the volume of cars in Dublin city centre and encouraging more use of public transport will also bring environmental benefits by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and noise pollution from cars.

How will the plan impact drivers in Dublin?

If you frequently drive in and out of Dublin city, there are a few aspects of the plan you need to be aware of.

Some of the traffic management measures are set to begin in 2024, including restrictions to divert through traffic away from the city centre and the introduction of new bus gates that will remove access to cars from parts of the North and South Quays.

Here are the main proposed changes to traffic in Dublin city centre:

Bachelors Walk and Aston Quay

“Bus gates” will be introduced on Bachelors Walk and Aston Quay, restricting these areas to just buses, taxis, cyclists and pedestrians. This is contentious and the final plan is likely to see some changes to where the bus gates will begin from and the hours that they will be in effect.

Westland Row and Pearse Street

Only public transport and cyclists will be allowed to turn left from Westland Row onto Pearse Street. There will be a new right turn for other traffic at this junction, and the section of Pearse Street from Westland Row to Sandwith Street will be made two-way.

College Green and Dame Street

All traffic will be removed from College Green and Dame Street from the junction with George’s Street eastwards, with a view to turning the area in front of Trinity College into a new public space.

Beresford Place and Gardiner Street

Beresford Place could go from one-way to two-way and traffic on Gardiner Street could be reduced from four lanes to two to give pedestrians and cyclists more space.

Custom House Quay

The plan also proposes closing the quay at the Custom House and routing all traffic around the back of it to create a new public space in front of this landmark building. There would be a reduced number of lanes from Liberty Hall to Custom House.

Parliament Street

A traffic-free zone is planned for Parliament Street that would remove all cars and buses from this area, leaving access to just pedestrians and cyclists.

When will the plan be in place?

The Dublin City Centre Transport Plan was first released in draft form in 2023 and the public was invited to submit feedback on it.

Some of the new traffic management measures will be implemented from late-August 2024, with other aspects introduced later due to further consultation with business and disability groups.

There is strong support in Dublin City Council to roll out aspects of the plan as soon as possible, so it’s likely that Dublin commuters will start to see major changes to traffic flow in the city very soon.