Series of ‘No Car Days’ are planned for village

PROPOSALS for ‘No Car Days’ in Lucan Village are being prepared by South Dublin County Council.

At a recent local area committee meeting, Cllr Ed O’Brien (FF), noted a previously approved motion of his in December 2020, and reiterated calls for “a series of no car days” in the village.

Opposition to separate plans last year by the council, which would have included the loss of car parking spaces in Lucan Village, was so strong, that it led to the contentious proposal being withdrawn from the Part 8.

Speaking at the area meeting, Cllr O’Brien hopes this new pilot initiative will become a regular scheme, “not just in Lucan but around the county”.

“We need to encourage people out of their cars and we need to encourage people into our villages out of their cars. We do this twice a year in Lucan, on St Patrick’s Day and the Lucan Festival, and it’s all accessible.”

Cllr O’Brien said “small nudges” are needed to change people’s habits.

Cllr Joanna Tuffy (Lab) commended Cllr O’Brien for his motions, and is a firm believer that the public will “embrace” these types of initiatives.

However, Cllr Liona O’Toole (Ind) believes local businesses need to be consulted before any decisions are made to introduce further no car days in the village.

Cllr Paul Gogarty (Ind) would prefer to see a “normal weekday trialed” but does not think businesses would agree to that.

“In the immediate term we need to stop traffic running through Lucan Village as a means to avoid the M50,” said Cllr Gogarty.

He said people’s backs were up over the previous plan and they would need to be pro-active, and “consult and be seen to be consulting”.

Cllr O’Brien said the two current days of no cars in the village are two of the busiest days for local business, “so I don’t see any reason why local businesses should be afraid of further no car days”.

In response to Cllr O’Brien’s motion, SDCC said: “LUPT (Land Use Planning and Transport department) will organise a “no car day/s” in Lucan Village as soon as it is practical to do so.”

The council said it will involve several strands including “possible road closures”, the organisation of an event/s, and stewardship for health and safety.

“LUPT will liaise with other council departments with the view to preparing a proposal for these events shortly, and will consult with local representatives in the development of these plans for a  “no car day/s,” said SDCC.

“Accordingly, having regard to the above, it is not possible as of yet to provide a timescale for when such an event may take place.”

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