New plans to stop Dublin being a ‘drive through’ city gather speed

In August two more sections of the quays in Dublin will become no-go areas for private cars.

When the “bus gates” open on Aston Quay on the southside of the river, and Bachelor’s Walk on the northside, private cars will no longer be able to complete their journey from one of end of the city’s quays to the other. They are the first measures of the Dublin City Centre Transport Plan, which will restrict motorists driving “through” instead of “to” the city centre.

Some knotty problems still need to be ironed out - most notably how will Diageo transport Guinness from where it is made at St James’s Gate to the port for export if it can’t use the straightest route down the quays.

And what is a bus gate anyway? Are taxis allowed use them? And cyclists? Dublin Editor Olivia Kelly explains the plan - and how it is a key part of a strategy to make Dublin a move liveable city.