“Fearmongering” over traffic plan must stop, says Hayes

Social Democrats councillor Eoin Hayes has criticised the Dublin City Centre Traders’ Alliance as “fearmongering” and their criticism of the Dublin City Centre traffic plan must be rejected.

Hayes, who was elected in June in Kimmage-Rathmines, said the economic assessment laid out by DCCTA “does not take into account the significant costs to the capital caused by traffic congestion and underestimates the footfall increases from a thriving city core devoid of gridlock.”

Hayes questioned the motive of DCCTA only producing the report, 7 months after a public consultation process with nearly 3,600 submissions ended.

The public consultation process was open from September until December of last year, but the DCCTA were not among the organisations to make a submission.

“Their conclusions are not consistent with the experience of other European capital cities, where reduced traffic has led to an uptick in economic activity and retail revenues,” he said.

Hayes, a small business owner himself, said “the real threat to retail is coming from online shopping, we need to give people more reasons to do business in the city.”

He said that the traffic plan, which looks to ease traffic congestion will provide “better public transport and increasing pedestrianisation will help boost footfall in Dublin and improve air quality, as well as a boon to our international reputation as a tourist destination.”

He said that congested streets discourage people from coming into a city, and they cause damage from both an environmental and public health perspective.

“Our tourists – on whom most retailers in Dublin rely – want to come to a destination with a European quality of life, with activities for people and beautiful open spaces – not a city dominated by cars and car parks.”

“This transport plan is attempting to move through traffic out of the city centre, making it more accessible for anyone travelling into town by bus, Luas or private vehicle,” he noted.

“The transport plan for Dublin, which has already been watered down to address traders’ concerns, must now be introduced in August, as scheduled,” echoing comments by fellow Dublin City Council members as well as Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan.

“It is also notable that some of the businesses objecting to the plan are the owners of city centre car parks, who have an obvious vested interest in maintaining the status quo of car-choked streets.”