DUBLIN: Proposed traffic restrictions in Dublin city centre could result in a 24 per cent fall in shopping and entertainment revenue due to reduced access for cars, according to a Red C poll.
The survey for the Irish Parking Association (IPA), which represents major car park operators in Ireland, found that 41 per cent of retail and entertainment spending in the city centre is by car users, with motorists spending €134 a visit compared to €94 by bus users, €71 by walkers, €112 by train and Dart travellers and €94 by those who travelled on the Luas.
The association has warned that the changes proposed in the Dublin City Transport Study, published in June, would drive business to competing out-of-town centres such as Dundrum, Blanchardstown and Liffey Valley.
President of the IPA Keith Gavin said the association “does not accept that making car access to the city centre more difficult will simply cause people to switch to other modes of transport”.
“People who want to shop by car but find themselves restricted in Dublin city centre will travel to other destinations like the M50 shopping centres or they will shop online, taking money out of the city centre.”
