Dublin City Council is ending the pedestrianisation of two inner-city streets.
Parliament Street and Capel Steet will be closed to traffic this weekend for the last time, with the decision confusing business owners and residents online.
The streets have been closed to traffic on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the last 11 weeks in order to allow businesses to facilitate outdoor dining.
It has proved to be a popular measure, with 300 thousand people visiting the area in that time frame.
Over the last 11 weeks, more than 300,000 people have experienced the traffic-free streets of Capel St & Parliament St. This weekend is the final scheduled weekend so be sure to check it out! #Dublin #CityRecovery #Pedestrianisation pic.twitter.com/SxRtCYXr2E
— Dublin City Council (@DubCityCouncil) August 23, 2021
'Depressing'
The move to pedestrianise the two streets was initially set for six weeks, with DCC saying at the time it would evaluate the measures at the end of that period.
That followed a two-week consultation process in May.
We are asking @DubCityCouncil to extend the pedestrianised streets of Parliament and Capel Streets. Announcing it’s the last weekend of it is a bit depressing instead of extending to support our business’. @PantiBliss @hazechu @LordMayorDublin @KevinDonoghue @DannyByrneFG
— Street 66 Dublin (@st66dublin) August 23, 2021
The decision to end the pedestrianisation has been met with widespread disappointment from businesses, residents and local councillors.
Cllr Ray McAdam says he plans to raise the issue with officials.
Meanwhile, former Lord Mayor Hazel Chu has urged all councillors who want to extend the measure to come together.
The best step forward is that we Councilllors who agree with pedestrianisation of Capel & Parliament St come together to propose for extension. And I know it's easy to say it's someone's fault but can I just say from working with DCC teams, they work really hard. We can fix this.
— Hazel Chu (@hazechu) August 23, 2021
Dublin City Council continues to face calls to clarify why it has made this decision.
The final weekend of the pedestrianisation is due to take place this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Main image: Leah Farrell/Rollingnews.ie
