One of the main traffic arteries that connects Dublin's northside to the city centre is to be closed to private vehicles for at least a year from next week and is likely to cause increased journey times in the area.
The closure of the inbound stretch of the North Strand Road from Fairview to the Five Lamps is to facilitate the construction of a cycle path from Clontarf to the city centre.
Private vehicles that would normally use Annesley Bridge Road and the North Strand Road inbound will be diverted at Fairview Strand, down Ballybough Road, along Portland Row and will re-join North Strand Road at the Five Lamps.
However, buses, taxis and cyclists can continue to use the route into the city centre and the road will remain open to all outbound traffic.
Work on the first phase of the project between Clontarf and Fairview has been under way for a number of months and has resulted in some delays to traffic in the area.
But Dublin City Council is warning that this next phase of the project is likely to cause further traffic disruption and increased journey times in the area.
Director for the Active Travel Programme Andy Walsh said: "This next phase is a major step up in works, and while there will be some disruption to regular traffic flows.
"We are working to ensure everyone is as informed about the changes as soon as possible before they take place.
"We ask that anyone using the route plans their journeys in light of the changes, and use alternative modes of transport where possible."
and will re-join North Strand Road at the Five Lamps (Pic: Dublin City Council)
In addition to these changes, later this month, traffic under the Clontarf Road railway bridge will be reduced to one lane in each direction, with both inbound and outbound traffic funnelled through just one of the two bridge arches. That arrangement will stay in place until the end of the year.
Dublin City Council said it has rolled out an extensive public information campaign and has distributed 60,000 leaflets to homes and businesses in the area.
When completed the €62.5 million Clontarf to City Centre project will provide segregated cycling facilities and bus priority infrastructure along a 2.7km route from Clontarf to Amiens Street.
The council says this will facilitate faster bus journeys, safer and easier cycling and driving options and comfortable walking and running facilities.
Independent Councillor Nial Ring criticised the road closures and diversions which he said will leave some residents in the north inner city "trapped in their homes".
Cllr Ring said people in Ballybough and the North Strand are "up in arms" about the changes which he said were made without properly consulting the local community.
He said the diversions which will last for at least a year will be "dramatic and traumatic" for around 600 homes which line the route.
He has called on Dublin City Council to allow local residents to use the bus lane which will remain open to access the city centre.
Cllr Ring said without this compromise residents will have to travel out of the city first before they can follow the diversions to get back into the city centre.
