No problems as private cars banned from College Green during rush hour

LARGE NUMBERS of motorists were turned away from College Green yesterday during the first day of operation of Dublin City Council…

LARGE NUMBERS of motorists were turned away from College Green yesterday during the first day of operation of Dublin City Council’s bus corridor, but there were no significant traffic problems, the council said.

The corridor operates 7-10am and 4-7pm Monday to Friday, restricting access to public transport vehicles and bicycles.

There was a heavy Garda presence at College Green during the hours of operation yesterday. However, large numbers of drivers continued to approach College Green to attempt to pass through the restricted area despite the council’s widespread information campaign and signage.

Most motorists were compliant with Garda instructions to divert from the area. However, motorcyclists were more resistant, with several stopping to ask gardaí why they were banned from passing through College Green.

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During the hours of operation drivers approaching College Green from Dame Street will have to U-turn and return down Dame Street at the College Green taxi rank and will not be permitted to enter Westmoreland Street. Approaching from D’Olier Street motorists will have to turn right into Westmoreland Street and will not be allowed to follow the street around to the left in front of Trinity College. The restrictions represent a significant climbdown on the original proposal by the council earlier this year which would have seen motorists banned from College Green 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The council bowed to pressure from business interests who said shoppers would abandon the city centre. Almost 80 per cent of submissions received during public consultation were opposed to the corridor. Opposition came mainly from local retailers and car park owners fearing loss of business.

While drivers cannot use College Green to cross the city access to car parks will remain, but the routes available to reach these car parks will be restricted.

Fleet Street Car Park Ltd, a Galway company which owns a car park on Fleet Street in Temple Bar, has been granted leave to take a judicial review of the bus corridor, but this case is not due to be heard for two months. The company was refused an application to seek compensation for loss of earnings in the Commercial Court.

Gardaí were yesterday advising motorists approaching from D’Olier Street whose destination was the city centre that there was a car park in Fleet Street.

A spokesman for the council said traffic was at standard levels for a Monday. There where slight delays at the points were gardaí diverted traffic but these had little overall impact on journey times. During the evening rush hour traffic on the quays was heavier than usual, but this was likely to be due to the U2 concert in Croke Park, a spokesman said.

The council estimates 12,883 cars use the College Green route each day, with almost 7,000 of these travelling at peak times. This has resulted in bus times of 15 to 40 minutes between College Green and Parnell Square.

Olivia Kelly

Olivia Kelly

Olivia Kelly is Dublin Editor of The Irish Times