An organisation representing city centre businesses has "strongly warned" plans to ban private cars from College Green will lead to "difficulties".
Private cars are currently permitted outside the hours of 7am and 7pm during weekdays. However, they will be banned on a 24/7 basis from May 29.
Dublin Town, formerly known as Dublin City BID which represents 2,500 businesses, said practical difficulties arise for businesses when vehicles are removed from a location, including "problems with deliveries, waste collection and sanitation, as well as access for utility providers and construction teams".
Read more: Private cars to be permanently banned from College Green - but 'traffic-free' plaza delayed
The business representative group urged "meaningful engagement" take place with local businesses before similar issues associated with the pedestrianisation of Capel Street emerge.
Dublin Town CEO Richard Guiney said the move was "welcome" but also asked for engagement with businesses. He said: "The difficulties experienced when Capel Street became traffic free in 2022 led to businesses in other parts of the city becoming sceptical about the process and withdrawing support for a ban on private cars.
“But potential problems can be solved if proposals are discussed and concerns addressed before they are announced. We anticipate significant change as to how business will be conducted in Dublin City centre in the coming years as we move to net zero.
“This will require investment in retrofitting and in renewable energy by businesses which will be best achieved if there is trust and confidence that the process is inclusive.”
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