“I don't think I can ever get used to living in the city, actually,” said one participant. “So when I heard about this opportunity, I was like, ‘Okay, this sounds like a real thing.’”
Councillors discussed the fate of allotment holders pushed out of Weaver Square, plans for developing Cherry Orchard, and results of a traffic-calming experiment.
“Every time, we choose to switch on our car engines – to drop the kids to school, nip down to the shop or drive to work – we make this worse,” says TU Dublin lecturer Sarah Rock.
Irish Taxi Drivers Federation president Joe Herron says he hopes none of his group’s members have them, and that people shouldn’t blame all white taxi drivers for something only a few are doing.
Some locals have been asking for things like lower speed limits and wider footpaths, but now they say they’re bracing for the impact of three core bus corridors instead.
Some say that important quick transport wins – ones that would make it safer to cycle, or cross the road – are sometimes held hostage to big-ticket, long-term projects.
“I’ve kind of realised that just an interested group of people can get this going, really, and we shouldn’t be waiting for anyone else,” says Neasa Hourigan.
