Reclaim

The Saint

I know its already been done but the one on the politics forum but it has just filled up with squabbling and insults. Anyway, I dont understand why people are opposed to this as I believe it would make the city a safer more pleasant place to be. At this moment in time i will not go to town on a saturday due to the congestion and frustration of getting from point a to point b. Pedestrianising the city centre would increase trade, significantly reduce CO2 emisions, increase tourism and make it safer. Only a few months ago my girlfriend was subjected to watching a girl being killed on the roads. This happened on O'Connell bridge in the middle of the day when sthis girl went under a massive truck passing up the quays and crushed her head. My girlfriend along with many others had to witness this terrible event. I definitely believe these enormous trucks have no place in a city centre. So my idea is, sort out the public transport system (which wouldnt be difficult with the added revenue dublin bus would have with having the monopoly on transport in the city centre) and only allow commercial vehicles into the city in the early morning and late in the evening, and supply enough parking spaces outside the pedestrianised zone for drivers wishing to enter the city. I am looking forward to seeing responses to this and I'm sure there will be a backlash, but lets keep it civil. It would be interesting to see if it is only drivers are the ones opposed to pedestrianisation as I cannot see what the negative aspects to this as I believe it would benifit all.

seamus

I don't think most people have any problem with what you have outlined above. People tend to have a problem with what reclaim the streets stands for. Whatever about the Gardai in May, RTS went the wrong way about trying to drum up some publicity, and especially about trying to have their goals highlighted. Annoying Joe Public will not make the City Centre pedestrianised, you need to annoy the people in charge. Randomly having a party in the middle of the city branded them "deliquent youngsters up to no good", and they lost any respect they may have tried to create. Plus, having ties to anti-capitalist protestors does them no favours either, seeing as anti-capitalists have ruined their own name and branded themselves scum through rioting.

I want a heavily restricted City Centre too...

only allow commercial vehicles into the city in the early morning and late in the evening,

Well, that situation is being rectified by the port tunnel. It would be prudent, when the port tunnel is built, to only allow lorries into the city centre without permits. It's very difficult, logistically to ban all commercial vehicles during the day.

The Saint

Well you are right about the last protest, pissing people off isnt the way to go. This time they seem to be a bit more orginised. Its being held on no car day which is a sunday and situated in St. Stevens Green park which should have a good atmosphere. I'll be there to lend my support. It would be nice if the troublemakers stayed low as I think it would give the protest a bit more credibility.