BUSINESSES IN Dublin’s city centre are being “crucified” as a result of the “bus gate” at College Green, according to Dublin City Business Association (DCBA).
The ban on private cars in the city centre during rush hour – introduced to stem traffic congestion – has had a detrimental effect on retailers, according to the business association. In order to bypass the restrictions in place since August, consumers travelling by car are choosing to shop in retail centres on the outskirts of Dublin.
Thursday, the main shopping day, is the worst-affected with no allowances made in the 4pm-7pm ban on private cars.
One car park operator in the city centre has reported a 70 per cent drop in business.
Although the bus gate is up for review in January, Dermot McCormick, chairman of the DCBA, said: “With the Christmas shopping season coming up, if we wait for six months it could be too late for small businesses.
“July was showing signs that the rate of fall-off in retail was slowing down but, having spoken to major retailers on Grafton Street, it has gone back to the worst of it.”
He is calling for a suspension of the bus gate until the opening of Samuel Beckett Bridge at Macken Street, to avoid further blocking the city during already-straitened times. He said people need to be made more aware the ban is only in place on weekdays during peak hours.
Seán Smith of the Transport 21 Project office at Dublin City Council defended the restrictions, saying: “The bus gate has only been recently introduced, so it is impossible to say yet if it is a good or a bad idea.
“Everywhere is suffering as part of the recession and we want people to access the city centre . . . we will do everything in our power to do just that.”
He also said that Dublin Bus has reported buses can move more easily and faster as a result of the restrictions, enabling them to provide a better service.
“At this moment in time, there is no motion to review the bus gate,” said Mr Smith.