Reply To: proposed changes to stephen’s green
Press Release – St Stephens Green
Permanent Traffic Management Arrangements & Results of
Air Pollution Monitoring Revised traffic management arrangements have been in operation in the St. Stephen’s Green area since early July 2004 to facilitate the reconstruction of St Stephen’s Green West. At that time the City Council indicated that
consideration would be given to maintaining the revised arrangements on a permanent basis.
In view of the success of the measures in terms of improved traffic flow and reduced pollution levels the City Council has decided that its preferred option is to maintain the current arrangements with the following modifications:
· St Stephens Green West will be open to vehicular traffic from the junction of Cuffe St./Harcourt St./St. Stephen’s Green South as far as York Street and from the top of Grafton Street as far a Glover’s Alley. The stretch of St. Stephen’s Green West from York Street to Glover’s Alley (i.e. in front of the Royal College of Surgeons) will be closed to traffic. A new plaza will be constructed here.
· Traffic will be able to access St Stephen’s Green West from Cuffe Street and from Harcourt Street.
· A new counter flow bus lane will be constructed on Earlsfort Terrace from the junction with Hatch Street to the junction with St. Stephen’s Green South.
· A new bus turning circle will be constructed at the junction of Grafton Street/St.Stephen’s Green West/St.Stephen’s Green North to facilitate bus/Luas/taxi interchange.
· All nose to kerb parking around St. Stephen’s Green will be replaced by parallel parking.
· Cycling lanes will be provided on all sides of St. Stephen’s Green.
· Pedestrian facilities will be improved.
Since mid July the City Council has been monitoring air pollution levels (i.e.Nitrogen Dioxide & Benzene) at ten locations in the St. Stephen’s Green area. Preliminary results show that compared with a monitoring results for the same locations in 2001 levels of these pollutants have fallen significantly – by 19% on average for Nitrogen Dioxide and by 25% on average for Benzene. This can be attributed to reduced congestion and improved traffic flow.
Dublin City Council intends to engage in a public consultation process in relation to these changes.
