17 streets in Cork city will be permanently pedestrianised after a successful trial last summer

Cork city council will begin work next week to permanently pedestrianise 17 streets in the city centre. The move comes after the streets were temporarily pedestrianised last summer to facilitate outdoor dining and social distancing as part of the “Reimagining Cork City” programme.

The council reported an overwhelmingly positive response to the trial, saying it improved people’s experience of the city centre, and encouraged them to spend more time there. 

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Joe Kavanagh said, “The Cork City spirit is nothing if not resilient… we find ourselves again ready to rise from the ashes of Covid-19, with new and innovative ways of living, working and doing business, reimagining our city’s infrastructure. The recent government announcement of an unprecedented investment of almost €400 million in Cork City shows that our own confidence in the city’s ability to bounce back is reflected nationally.” 

Cork City Council will begin works next week to facilitate the permanent pedestrianisation of 17 @corkcitycentre streets????????

??Learn more here: https://t.co/CvM5PUT7RO#ReimaginingCorkCity pic.twitter.com/PYT6nu6LFl

— Cork City Council #StayHome #StaySafe (@corkcitycouncil) April 7, 2021

Restructuring of these streets to better suit pedestrians will begin next week, with work on Caroline street, Pembroke Street, Oliver Plunkett Street, Cook Street and Maylor Street to start on April 12, and depending on the weather, work on Paul Street, St Peter and Paul’s Place, Little Ann Street and Little Cross Street will begin on April 19. 

The council has asked traders to organise deliveries before 9.30am while work is taking place, as the street will not be accessible to vehicles after this time. Pedestrian access to these streets is expected to remain available during the work. 

Moves to prioritise pedestrians and cyclists in city and town centres have been seen across Ireland since the start of the pandemic, with similar trials in Dublin city centre last summer around the Grafton street area, and a push for a similar move in Limerick.