Cars face city centre ban in massive overhaul of Cork traffic

Private cars could be banned from Cork City’s main shopping street on a trial basis before the end of the year.

The news emerged last night as plans for the biggest overhaul of traffic management in Cork City in almost 40 years are set to be unveiled today.

Members of the public and business owners have been urged to attend the public exhibition of the draft Cork City Centre Movement Strategy which goes on display at City Hall later.

The strategy includes proposals to ban private cars at certain times from St Patrick’s St, and to introduce two-way traffic along several city quays.

There are also plans to overhaul bus lanes, introduce new bike lanes, enhance pedestrian facilities, and make new arrangements for vehicular access to several city centre car parks.

Various elements will be introduced in eight phases over the next five years, with expected investment from the National Transport Authority in the order of €7m per annum.

The ban on private cars from St Patrick’s St will be introduced first. Noel Tummon, a senior executive engineer in Cork City Council’s roads directorate, said subject to the public consultation, the ban could be introduced before the end of this year.

“We hope to introduce the ban for a few hours a day, for maybe a day or two on a trial basis, certainly before the end of the year, and then, subject to feedback and over time, increase the duration of the ban to several hours several days a week,” he said.

Changes to MacCurtain St, Merchant’s Quay, and Grenville Place will be introduced under the second phase of the strategy.

The strategy is designed to minimise through-traffic in the city centre core, to make it more attractive to pedestrians, and more public transport friendly.

Lord Mayor Cllr John Buttimer described it as the single biggest change in Cork’s traffic management policy since the 1970s.

“It will shape how traffic moves in, around, and through the city centre for the next 30 years, and how people interact with the city centre. I would encourage people to engage with the public consultation,” he said.

Cork Business Association CEO, Donal Healy, urged business people to examine the proposals carefully.

*Details of the strategy will be on display today at City Hall’s Millennium Hall between 3pm and 8pm.

Key proposals

Access to St Patrick’s St will be limited to buses, taxis, and cyclists, with private cars directed along the quays.

*MacCurtain St will become a two-way street, with pedestrians given priority.

*Grenville Place at the Mercy Hospital will become one-way eastbound, with return traffic using Grattan St.

*Parnell Place is earmarked for a major safety upgrade to improve facilities for bus users, pedestrians, and cyclists.

*Brian Boru St and Brian Boru Bridge will become two-way.

*Traffic coming from Penrose Quay over Brian Boru Bridge will be able to turn right onto Brian Boru St.

*Traffic will be able to make a left turn from Merchants Quay, travel across the bridge and then turn left onto MacCurtain St at the Coliseum.

*At the western end of MacCurtain St, traffic will be able to turn left onto Bridge St and then right onto Camden Quay.

*Traffic will also be allowed proceed straight on to Coburg St, and onto Devonshire St.

*Traffic turning right at the eastern end of the South Mall will cross Parnell Bridge on the left side, before being able to travel straight on to Anglesea St or turn left onto a new lane on Terence MacSwiney Quay, in front of City Hall, which will become two-way.