Some of the busiest streets around the State will be closed off to private traffic next month as part of European Car-Free Day.
Twenty Irish cities and towns are due to take part in the initiative on Wednesday, September 22nd, which will involve the promotion of alternatives to using the car such as park-and-ride facilities, free bus routes and organised school walks.
Organisers hope the plans in each town and city will also involve representatives from the wider community, including trade associations, community groups, schools and the Garda Síochána. Businesses are also being encouraged to take part in the scheme and many local authorities have organised competitions for employers who promote car-pooling and bus services.
One of the main focuses of this year's car-free days will be on promoting transport options for schoolchildren, such as organised school walks, cycling and bus transport.
Many local authorities are using the opportunity to experiment with pedestrianising streets, or closing areas of the city to private traffic.
Cork City will have the most ambitious programme of street closures and intends to close off Patrick Street and smaller streets linked to the main thoroughfare, including Oliver Plunkett Street, Maylor Street, Emmet Place and Caroline Street.
Dublin City will close O'Connell Street to private vehicles, while Limerick, Kilkenny, Waterford, Tullamore, Co Offaly, and Portlaoise, Co Laois, also plan to close streets to private vehicles. Galway is not closing off city streets to traffic due to construction and roadworks in the city-centre.
Transport agencies are also promoting public transport, with Bus Éireann planning a number of free city services from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in and out of Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford and Sligo.
DART and Dublin Bus will also distribute pre-paid tickets in the days leading up to the car-free day.
A spokeswoman for Sustainable Ireland, Ms Antonia Shields, rejected previous criticism that road closures and other measures were just a "one off".
She said it gave local authorities a valuable chance to experiment with road closures in areas they hoped to pedestrianise, and gave commuters a chance to try other modes of transport
"It's not about banning the car completely, it's about getting a better balance between other modes of transport," she said.
"We're trying to encourage people to change their behaviour where possible on short journeys, whether that means walking, cycling or taking the bus. There has been a lot of investment put into public transport, and a lot more needs to be done, but it's up to people to try and change their habits."
More local authorities are taking part in this year's event than last year, although a number declined to take part. Ms Shields said some did not feel ready but hoped to do so next year.
