The number of cars allowed into Dublin city centre will be strictly limited when work gets under way on the capital’s new underground Metro route, it emerged last night.

A major traffic management plan, involving more buses and a limit on the number of private vehicles, is being prepared before construction begins.

Commuters will face massive traffic disruption for several years as stations are built under two of the city’s main thoroughfares, O’Connell Street Bridge and Parnell Street.

The Government has now asked Dublin City Council to report on how best to redirect and manage traffic in a bid to minimise potential gridlock.

A spokeswoman for the Transport Minister Noel Dempsey said the number of cars permitted to enter the city centre during major construction would be reduced.

She declined to speculate on whether streets may be closed off completely or how long restrictions might last.

Last week, Mr Dempsey admitted that the Metro was among 13 major public transport projects which have been delayed.

The Metro, which will run from the city centre to Dublin Airport, is now due for completion by 2013 and not 2012 as originally envisaged.