A contingent of about 100 individuals held a protest at the Brown Thomas location on Grafton Street, demanding the immediate initiation of the Dublin City Transport Plan. The scheme, set to be launched in August, seeks to reduce car density in the city core by introducing bus gates at Bachelors Walk and Aston Quay.
Richard Shakespeare, Dublin City Council’s CEO, has decided to postpone the plan’s activation at the request of city businesses. Junior Minister Emer Higgins, with sectors for business, employment, and retail under his charge, has also called for deferral.
According to a study by the City Centre Traders Alliance, the city’s economy could face an annual downfall of around €400 million by 2028 if the proposed traffic alterations are established. Brown Thomas Arnotts is part of the collectives joined in the alliance.
Several associations, including the Dublin Commuter Coalition, the Dublin Cycling Campaign, and An Taisce, insist that the plan should proceed as originally scheduled.
Dublin Commuter Coalition member Gary Marshall stated the plan has the backing of the majority of city councillors and businesses. “Richard Shakespeare should grasp this sentiment today. The public desires this plan. No more interference from big business in our local democracy is what we need,” he advocated.
Demonstrators voiced chants such as “hey Brown Thomas, give us the green light” and “one, two, three four, Dubliners deserve more.”
Dublin Cycling Campaign’s Una Morrison explained that they had singled out Brown Thomas Arnotts as they believed the store owners among others were obstructing the timely execution of the plan.
According to public consultation, the plan has garnered 3,600 submissions, all in favour of its implementation.
“They’ve sanctioned an economic report that suggests detrimental effects on their business, but it presumes all their customers commute here by car, which we know isn’t accurate,” she expressed.
“Public transport, cycling, and walking are the primary modes of transport for a majority of individuals travelling and spending time in the city centre.”