Una Mullally: Cars have to go. People can fight this all they want, but it has to happen (via IrishTimesOpEd)
Considering heatwaves are going to become more frequent and more intense in Ireland, tree cover everywhere is such a simple solution that everyone – people and animals – benefits from
But we need to think bigger. Most cars have to go. People can fight this all they want, but it has to happen. Whoever takes over from Owen Keegan as chief executive of Dublin City Council in September, while the Government drags its heels on local Government reform, should arrive with a huge vision for the city. The first part of that vision needs to be about how people navigate the city centre. That means removing as many cars as possible.
Multi-story car parks should be removed from the city centre and placed on the outskirts with free electric transport into the city. Most car-parking spaces should also be removed. As car use decreases, we are going to need a car amnesty, where families can swap their car for bikes and scooters. City-centre residents without cars, or who want to get rid of their cars, should be able to avail of a greening package from the council for their driveways and on-street car-parking spaces.
Cars are parked 95 per cent of the time. They clutter streets, paths and roads. Get rid of them. The bad faith, hairsplitting arguments and selfish hysteria of middle-class drivers in particular carries no weight in a climate emergency. Of course, there should be exceptions for those who genuinely need their cars on the road. Positive change needs to be logical change.
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