Dublin City Council’s new traffic management plan, which takes effect today, imposes restrictions on private vehicles traveling through sections of the north and south quays in Dublin city centre. This move is part of a broader strategy to reduce through traffic and prioritize local access.
The initial phase of the plan, which has been debated and adjusted over the past year, aims to prevent non-essential traffic, including private cars and delivery vans, from passing through the city centre. The restrictions are in place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily and do not apply to buses, taxis, or cyclists.
Effective immediately, vehicles are no longer permitted to travel straight from Bachelors Walk to Eden Quay on the north quays. Instead, they must turn left onto O’Connell Street. On the south quays, cars and vans cannot drive directly from Burgh Quay to Aston Quay; they must turn right onto O’Connell Street or left onto D’Olier Street. Left turns from Westmoreland Street to Aston Quay are also prohibited.
Council staff were on-site early this morning to guide motorists through the new traffic layout. While most drivers adhered to the new directions, some continued to use the restricted routes. The council has coordinated with navigation systems and Google Maps to ensure that the latest restrictions are reflected.
The council’s objective is to reduce the amount of general traffic passing through the city centre, as studies show that 60% of such traffic is merely transitory rather than stopping, working, or shopping in the area. The new rules are intended to create a lower-traffic environment, encouraging more thoughtful city travel.
Businesses have expressed concerns about the impact of the new traffic plan. Diageo, for instance, relies on trucks to transport a significant portion of its production from St James’s Gate to Dublin Port, and the restrictions could affect their logistics.
Brendan O’Brien, head of technical services at Dublin City Council, emphasized that the changes are designed to balance accessibility with traffic reduction. He assured that access for deliveries, car parks, and residents will remain functional, albeit possibly via different routes. O’Brien noted that the impact of these measures will be continuously monitored, and adjustments will be made if necessary to address any emerging issues.
“The goal is not to create barriers but to manage traffic flow effectively,” O’Brien said. “We want to make the city centre more pedestrian-friendly while ensuring essential services and access are maintained.”
The full impact of the traffic measures may become clearer after the end of the school holidays, as the council continues to evaluate and refine the plan based on real-time feedback and observations.