Parliament Street is set to become traffic-free from Friday, July 4th, as Dublin City Council moves ahead with the next phase of its city centre transport overhaul.
The plan will see the street permanently reallocated for walking and cycling. It is also set to include the introduction of green spaces, public seating, and improved pedestrian infrastructure.
To mark the change, a special market will take place on the 4th of July. This event will kick off a month of weekend events designed to draw visitors into the newly pedestrianised space.
Currently one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares, Parliament Street sees up to 23,000 people pass through it daily. Under the new scheme, cars will be banned from the stretch between Essex Quay and Essex Gate. Deliveries to businesses will only permitted between 6am and 11am in certain sections.
The redesign will also connect key city areas via a north-south pedestrian and cycling route from City Hall to Bolton Street, linking with the already pedestrianised Capel Street. The east and west sides of Temple Bar will also be better integrated through this corridor.
Public support and business backing
The changes follow a public consultation in May. The consultation found 90% of respondents supported the plans to enhance public space and introduce two-way cycling. Feedback from residents, local businesses and community groups has been largely positive. Many cite the successful transformation of nearby Capel Street as proof of the concept.
The works for the interim redesign, including new surfacing, seating, and planting, will begin on July 7th and are expected to continue through the summer.
Key changes to traffic flow
The updated traffic layout will involve several significant adjustments:
Parliament Street (Essex Quay to Essex Gate): Permanently traffic-free and raised to pavement level for a seamless pedestrian zone.
Parliament Street (Essex Gate to Lord Edward Street): Traffic-free except for deliveries between 6am and 11am daily.
Essex Gate to Essex Street East: Remains open to all vehicles.
Grattan Bridge (east side): A new two-way cycling link will be introduced; general traffic lanes will be reduced.
Capel Street (quays to Strand Street Little): New two-way cycling infrastructure to complete a continuous link from Dame Street to Bolton Street.
These changes form part of the wider Dublin City Centre Transport Plan 2023. They align with the city’s 2022–2028 Development Plan, which aims to create a more sustainable, pedestrian-friendly capital.
This is the third major traffic management intervention under the plan. It follows the earlier pedestrianisation and cycle route projects across the city.
Dublin City Council says it will continue to monitor the impact of the changes and engage with the public as further measures are rolled out.
