Major changes to Dublin city traffic to come into effect in August

Kenneth Fox

A start date for major new changes for traffic in Dublin city has been confirmed.

From August, bus gates will be in operation on Bachelors Walk and Aston Quay in order to restrict drivers from travelling through the city centre.

It means only buses, taxis, cyclists and pedestrians will be allowed to use the route.

Speaking to Newstalk, head of transport with the council, Brendan O'Brien, says the quays have become a "watery dual carriageway".

"Around 60 per cent of the traffic in the core city centre is through traffic. That is what is currently delaying us.

"The idea behind it is to create a low traffic environment in the city centre. As long as there is a route through the city centre people will continue to use it," he said.

Mr O'Brien added that as the route changes, people's "mind map" of the city will start to change as new routes are brought in.

The first set of changes will also see cars banned from turning left from Westland Row to Pearse Street.

The council says it will engage with the public - including using the Ticketmaster app to show people how they can get to gigs and publishing maps on how drivers can travel to hospitals across the city.