Commuters have experienced their first day of the new transport plan in Dublin city centre, with rush hour traffic flowing freely on the quays.
The new traffic restrictions came into effect yesterday morning, with private cars and delivery vehicles banned on parts of the quays from 7am to 7pm.
The aim of the new rules is to cut down on cars travelling through the city and to prioritise public transport, walking and cycling.
Large traffic signs and council workers have been guiding motorists throughout the day, with the vast majority heeding the signals.
Minister of State at the Department of Transport James Lawless said that the traffic plan is working how it is supposed to, saying Dublin city centre should not be a place for motor-vehicle congestion.
Mr Lawless said he supported the plan back in 2009 when it was first suggested and said he thinks "it's the way to go".
He said it was about taking out those journeys through the city centre where they are not going there as a destination.
He added the centre should be a place for "active travel" – for buses, trains and public transport connections.
Read more: Time will tell if Dublin traffic plan brings positive change
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Retail Intelligence and Dublin Town said they are reserving judgement until motorists have gotten used to the rules and the schools have returned.
Bus gates will operate from 7am to 7pm from Monday to Sunday on the north quays at Bachelors Walk and on the south quays on Burgh Quay and Aston Quay.
Road marking and signage changes will allow private cars and delivery vehicles travelling on the north quays from Bachelor's Walk to take a left turn up O’Connell Street with only buses, taxis and cyclists permitted to proceed onto Eden Quay.
On the south quays, cars and delivery vehicles travelling along Burgh Quay will be directed to turn right onto O’Connell Street or left onto D’Olier Street, with only buses, taxis and cyclists allowed to travel straight onto Aston Quay.
There will also be no left turn from Westmoreland Street and Aston Quay for cars and delivery vans 7am to 7pm from Monday to Sunday.
