Mixed reaction to plan to ban cars by 2012

Dublin Transportation Office's (DTO) plans to ban cars from Dublin city centre have received a mixed reaction from city councillors and been described as "wild and aspirational" by AA spokesman Conor Faughnan.

The plans, devised in consultation with council officials, Dublin Bus and the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA), were presented to the council's transport committee yesterday.

The DTO envisages that by 2012 cars will be banned from the "civic spine" of the city, which would be reserved for public transport only.

The area encompasses College Green, Westmoreland Street, O'Connell Bridge, Dame Street from the junction with George's Street, northbound on O'Connell Street and southbound on O'Connell Street from the junction with Abbey Street.

Tim O'Sullivan, executive manager at the council's traffic department, said yesterday that the measure would push traffic from Dame Street on to the city quays.

Fine Gael councillor Naoise Ó Muirí questioned whether the plan was being foisted on council officials by the DTO. "I'm worried that faceless people in the DTO are pushing this along with no accountability to the people of this city."

Fianna Fáil councillor Mary Fitzpatrick said she would be supporting the plan. "I can't believe the negativity. If we don't have a vision for the city to have at least some part car-free, then what's the point?"

The plan was not based in reality, Mr Faughnan said. "Eventually the DTO will produce its plan to pedestrianise Leinster and we'll still have people saying it's a very good idea."

Further studies would be conducted before the plan was opened to public consultation, Mr O'Sullivan said.