Dublin City Council stated that there was “overwhelming support and a strong desire for change” among the populace for its plans to reallocate road space in favour of giving priority to walking, bicycling, and public transit by doing away with car trips across the city.
81% of respondents, including 56% of people who often drive, were in favour of lowering the amount of road space for private vehicles in the city centre, according to the findings of a public consultation on the plan that drew roughly 3,600 comments.
Some council members, however, contended that the public consultation procedure was unfair and racially biased since it seemed to be intended to keep out elderly individuals and others who were unable to access or use computers.
In November, council members adopted the Dublin City Centre Transport Plan, which is being proposed jointly by the National Transport Authority and Dublin City Council.
As part of the plan's goal to establish a “low traffic city centre,” it suggests a 40% reduction in general traffic in the city centre and the construction of additional public spaces.
A bus gate on Bachelors Walk will be installed as part of the proposed alterations, which are set to take effect this summer. The barrier will block vehicles and trucks that are travelling in the direction of O'Connell Street and the docklands.
In addition to preventing private vehicles from turning left from Westland Row into Pearse Street, there will be another bus gate on Aston Quay that will block traffic from O'Connell Street towards Heuston Station.
The modifications will enable the advancement of ideas for brand-new public plazas, such as those on College Green and Lincoln Place.