Free parking in centre will help shopping
FREE on-street parking spaces will be available in the heart of Dublin from tomorrow.
Dublin City Council hopes this will encourage Christmas spending, in order to limit the damage caused to retailers by the economic downturn.
The scheme offers 1,380 parking spaces in the centre from 2pm every Thursday to Sunday, and should come as a great relief to beleaguered retailers.
The spaces will be located in the retail core of the capital, with parking outside this area to be charged as normal.
Information concerning eligible streets for free parking will be provided on street signage and parking meters.
And motorists are advised to check for these signs before they leave their car.
A map of the core retail area is available at the website www.transportfordublin.ie, which details the areas where free parking is available.
Sean Smith, communications manager at the Transport 21 Project Office, has lauded the new initiative. "Dublin City is well worth a visit and Dublin City Council wants to make it as easy as possible for people to spend time in Dublin this November and December."
encourage
"That's why we are introducing the Dublin City Free Christmas Parking Scheme.
"We want to encourage people to come into the city and to see for themselves what Dublin has to offer. That is why we are making 1,380 parking spaces available free of charge right at the heart of Dublin City."
Mr Smith also claimed that the transport infrastructure which has recently been set up in the capital will bring further people into the city.
"Dublin has never been more accessible," he said.
"The new Beckett Bridge and the Luas Red Line extension will open soon and the City Centre Fare being offered by Dublin Bus is making it easier and cheaper to move around the city centre.
Dublin City Council decided to ease the restriction on private cars in the centre, following complaints by city retailers that evening trade had dropped by up to 30pc. The bus corridor has now been lifted during evening rush hours for two months following a vote by city councillors.
The free parking scheme will run until December 27.
hnews@herald.ie
- Cormac Byrne
