Picture via Dublincity.ie

 

Dublin City Council's radical plan to pedestrianise the College Green area in the capital's city centre has inspired some support, but also plenty of backlash.

 

Besides worry about traffic congestion and rerouted bus routes, the Irish Independent reports that the National Council for the Blind Ireland (NCBI) submitted criticisms about the project to An Bord Pleanála.

 

The current €10M plans for the College Green plaza include larger pedestrian areas and cycle lanes - but no kerbs to denote where the Luas, cyclists, and traffic are.

 

 

"People with impaired vision need a kerb between the pedestrianised area and the area where trams, cyclists and buses will operate. Currently, tram lines for the Luas Cross City run along the upper boundary of the area where the pedestrian plaza is planned," the NCBI submission reads.

 

"In the plans, it is proposed to also have a cycle track and bus lane following the same route. The plans propose that tactile paving will be provided in place of a kerb, between this area where traffic will run, and the pedestrian plaza.

 

"NCBI considers that this is just too dangerous for people with impaired vision. If a person with impaired vision does not detect the tactile paving, he or she will be at risk of being struck by fast cyclists on the cycle lane, or by a tram, or by a bus.

 

"Nothing should take precedence over pedestrian safety," it concluded. 

 

 

The NCBI are not alone in their criticism of the proposed plans. Both Dublin Bus and Dublin Chamber of Commerce have withdrawn their support of the project.

 

As well, An Bord Pleanála was due to have a public hearing about the plans next Tuesday. However, the body will have to reschedule the hearing for a later, unknown date due to an error in a newspaper notice, the Irish Times reports.

 

The public must have 30 days notice to make submissions about the plans, but the notice only stated that 21 days were needed. The notice also did not mention the Environment Impact Assessment.

 

What do you think of the College Green plaza plan, mums? Will it help or hurt Dublin?

Latest

Trending