Car-Free Dublin Centre Will Cost Jobs, Says Businesses

Retail jobs are in jeopardy around Dublin if the proposed 'bus gate' is introduced at College Green.

The Dublin City Business Association (DCBA) claimed today that as many as 2,500 jobs could be lost in the sector.

Dublin City Council is meeting to vote on a proposal to establish the gate which would lead to the area from Dame Street across College Green to Westmoreland Street becoming a public-transport-only zone from July.

The council is proposing three different design options for the Bus Gate, including a 24-hour ban on cars, a 12-hour ban operating from 7am to 7pm and a peak hour ban.

The proposal has been endorsed by Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey but heavily criticised by city traders, the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, AA Roadwatch and several councillors.

The DCBA today projected that up to 2,500 jobs could be lost in retail in the city centre if the council votes to proceed with the bus gate.

It claims that 70% of all retail purchases carried out in the city centre are attributed to shoppers who use cars and said that it believes that the introduction of a bus gate would lead these consumers to shop elsewhere.

A retail impact assessment prepared for the council also estimated that car users spend an average of €118 on a visit to the city centre compared with €49 for public transport users.

The DCBA has called on the council to vote against the bus gate until additional measures are taken to make it introduced to make it easier for motorists visiting the city centre.

(BMcC/KMcA)