HERE MERC you wonder why we call the Greens a shower of Cunts .....The permanent pedestrianisation of streets in the Grafton Street area is now being proposed by Dublin City Council.
This follows a series of weekend trials during the summer, which were supported by 95% of respondents to an online survey.
A total of four streets - South Anne Street, Dame Court, Drury Street and South William Street - are to be wholly or partially pedestrianised from 11am.
The portion of South William Street to be pedestrianised will be limited to a section from the Exchequer Street junction to the Brown Thomas car park exit, with traffic on the street restricted to cars exiting the car park.
Duke Street will not be pedestrianised as access is needed to a private car park, a delivery yard and a construction site.
In its report, Dublin City Council said highest footfall figures on Grafton Street since March occurred during the six weeks of the pedestrian trials.
All of the streets will get resurfacing works during November and some will get temporary footpath buildouts similar to one on South Anne Street.
The traffic changes will go for public consultation this month.
A survey by Dublintown found that 15% of businesses were opposed to pedestrianisation, 49% were in favour and 35% wanted it weekends only.
The smaller Dublin Can Be Heaven group stated in its submission that facilitating cars should not be ruled out and wants the council to subsidise its scheme offering customers a limited amount of free parking.
Cllr Mannix Flynn (Ind) welcomed the consultation, but expressed concern for small businesses.
South William Street could not be fully pedestrianised because Brown Thomas said changing its exit onto the street into an entrance would pose "insurmountable" difficulties, according to the report.
Cllr Janet Horner (Green) said this was a concern, adding "we are sacrificing a basic human right to safely access the street for some and a major benefit to smaller businesses to facilitate one luxury business".
The plans in detail are:
Anne Street South: Pedestrianise. Relocate disabled bay to Molesworth Street.
Duke Street: No pedestrianisation. Resurface.
Dame Court: Pedestrianise. Resurface. Provide footpath build out on eastern side. Pedestrianise from Exchequer Street junction.
Drury Street: Pedestrianise. Resurface. Provide footpath buildout on eastern side. Pedestrianisation from underground car park to Castle Market.
South William Street: Pedestrianise. Resurface. Footpath buildouts to replace current line of bollards on both sides. Pedestrianise from Exchequer Street to car park exit. Car park traffic only from 11am.
