Dublin’s Capel Street will become car-free from next month after the plan was adopted by councillors this morning.
It will be the largest traffic-free space in the city, longer than both Grafton and Henry Street.
After 17 weeks of weekend trials last summer, Capel street in the north inner city will become traffic-free next month - with just deliveries allowed between 6am and 11am every day.
The latest feedback found 90% of people were in favour of the move - but some businesses wanted an evening car ban instead - and have warned of potential legal action.
The Head of technical services with the city council is Brendan O’Brien;
"Our preference is not to have people opposing us, and having people dragging us down to the High Court. We really do want to work with people and we think this will be successful."
Director of Services Karl Mitchell, says traffic-free streets on the southside have created vibrancy that can be replicated;
"The northside shouldn't be playing second fiddle to what's happening on the southside. This shouldn't be seen as a negative, it should be seen as a real opportunity."
But when in May can we expect the changes? Dublin City Council says it will have to engage with public transport operators to fix a date.
Traffic management staff will be on-site for the first two weeks - while the changes will be reviewed at the end of the summer.
