Car-free day set for Dublin, Cork and Dundalk

Minister for Environment Dick Roche has encouraged Dublin commuters to become involved in next Thursday's car-free day - despite Dublin City Council's refusal to take part.

Car-free day is the culmination of European Mobility Week which began last Friday and will be celebrated in 34 cities and towns across Europe.

In previous years, the council has encouraged commuters to leave their cars at home and has put temporary pedestrianised zones in place for the car-free day - officially called "In Town Without My Car" day.

However, after mixed success and criticism that the pedestrianised streets led to greater congestion, the city council said yesterday it would be focusing on "a more holistic approach" to European Mobility Week.

This year, just three Irish towns and cities - Dublin, Cork and Dundalk - are taking part in European Mobility Week, down from a high point of 20 towns and cities in 2003. Of the three, only Cork City Council has decided to actively promote the car-free day.

Among the events marking the week in Dublin is the opening of a travel advice centre at South King Street for three days from tomorrow to Thursday, September 22nd.

The centre will be open daily from 8am to 6pm and will be staffed by representatives from the Department of Transport, the Dublin Transportation Office (DTO), Dublin City Council, Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Luas, Iarnród Éireann and the Coach, Transport and Tourism Council. The centre will be officially opened by Mr Roche and Minister of State at the Department of Transport Ivor Callely tomorrow.

On Thursday morning, the Irish Business and Employers' Confederation (Ibec) will host a breakfast seminar with the DTO on the theme of Mobility Management at the Workplace in Dublin Castle, at which Mr Callely will give the opening address.

Each of the local authorities in the Greater Dublin Area has also organised a programme of events including handing out gift vouchers to reward car-sharing and non-private car travel.

For full details of the week, visit www.clevercommuting.ie