Retailers hit out at 'radical' plan to restrict car access in Dublin city centre

Plans to restrict car access to Dublin city centre are being opposed by retailers.

Dublin Town and Retail Ireland say the recently published transport study - which proposes to pedestrianise and ban cars from certain areas - lacks concrete detail.

This morning extended restrictions to traffic in the College Green area come into force to accommodate ongoing Luas works.

CEO of Arnotts Ray Hernan says the transport study - which proposes to close College Green to cars, vans and taxis altogether - assumes people will use public transport.

He said: "Private car volumes at peak times in the city centre have dropped by 17% since 2006. This study wants to reduce them by a further 40% by 2017.

"The changes are radical and the timelines are extremely short, that's why we are demanding the detailed evidence as obtained to give retailers the comfort that this is not going to negatively impact their business."