Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
COLLEGE GREEN IN Dublin will be car-free for 12 hours today to mark Car Free Day 2019.
Several other cities are also taking part in the initiative as part of European Mobility Week, which aims to promote walking and cycling.
The area from College Green to the junction of South Great George’s Street will be closed to all vehicles between 7am and 7pm.
A variety of family-friendly events will take place from midday to 4pm.
The area will only be accessible to pedestrians between these times. The following arrangements will be in place:
Cyclists
The event is pedestrianised with no through traffic. Cyclists must dismount to enter the event area. Cycle parking will be provided up to 4pm at entrances to the event on Dame Street/George’s Street junction; D’Olier Street/College Green; and College Green/Grafton Street.
Buses
Buses normally travelling easterly onto College Green will be diverted onto Winetavern Street and westerly buses will be diverted onto the south quays and up to George’s Street.
Luas
The Luas will operate a normal Sunday service.
Cars
Car traffic will be diverted to the south quays and Dame Street.
Cars coming from the Christchurch direction will be permitted to turn right at the junction of George’s Street/Dame Street. Access to car parks will be from George’s Street.
Taxis
The taxi ranks at Foster’s Place and College Green will be closed for the duration of the event. A temporary extended taxi rank will be available on D’Olier Street.
Speaking ahead of the event, Lord Mayor of Dublin Paul McAuliffe said Dublin City Council is “committed to promoting walking and cycling as our preferred mode of transport where possible, due to the active travel, health, social and environmental benefits that it brings to the citizens of Dublin and the city itself”.
He added that the number of car-free days in the city is expected to increase in the future.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Give us a transport system that works. Currently if you work shift in the city, you can’t avail of public transportation due to the start times suiting only those that are really 9-5. We need to rethink and move with the times.
@TheKloppKop:
bus connects.
@TheKloppKop: Completely agree. If you want to stay late in Dublin for a meal or meet a friend you have to be gone by 7.30-8pm. On Saturday last I went to the AllIreland final and the last train on the Waterford line was 6:30. The match started at 6. So I had no choice but the car. Or stay in Dublin at extortionate rates.
We need a better choice please not just tokenism.
Get Bus Eireann bus. It goes late to Waterford.
@Orpuk Jones: Hi Orpuk, yes I thought of that but I have already paid out €3500 for an annual train ticket. I’m trying my best to stay off the motorways as it’s just dead time getting snagged up in the traffic.
@TheKloppKop: Rail really needs to be developed. The line go Maynooth goes through lots of undeveloped land within commuting distance of Dublin. High density developments laong with regular trains would be great.
With the rain out there this morning it will be a no people zone as well
Stop annoying us and just pedestrianise it
@Caoimhín O Neill: how about f*** no. Its the best route for busses from North to South. Close it for cars and taxis, NOT public transport.
@GrimyHR: Taxis are public transport. Actual legal description is SMALL PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLE. And we’re the ONLY 24/7, DOOR TO DOOR, CUSTOMISABLE AND FASTEST form of road transport!
@GrimyHR: Taxis are public transport. The only reason taxis use college green is because the paying public want to traverse the Liffey.. Close the thing and cause gridlock everywhere else, makes sense alright
The BIG PLAZA in SMITHFIELD IS CAR FREE EVERY DAY 10 MINUTES WALK FROM COLLEGE GREEN AND NOT USED ITS TERRIBLE.
@Derek Moean:
It was used yesterday
@Derek Moean: why all the caps? The square there is not great. Nothing really in the area to bring people across
@DisgruntledDub: WHY NOT USE CAPS?
Great chance for a lad to set up umbrella stall
Car-free day but ban bicycles and divert public transport. Rather missing the point.
SO DCC and the NTA still push the scheme that has been proven cannot work on a full time basis and will clain it will after a few Sundays . The others were a danger too a lot of people and the traffic was bumper to bumper.
Great idea, it will be nice to walk around there today. More like this is what we need. The ones giving out will be car parks and most dont pay rates.
Pedestrianise this area permanently.
Hadn’t of European Mobility Week until reading this. It started last Sunday and ends today.
Those of us who leave our cars at home and take buses instead will find we have to walk some distance to bus stops and traffic in other parts of the city will be impossible. Also not all of us want to or can cycle. And taxis are too expensive for every day use.
There was a bad accident in college green today. Fire brigade and ambulance were called to attend.
have your say