City motorists warned of switch to two-way route
Lancaster Quay and part of Western Road will become two-way from midday around the same time council engineers are due to meet city centre traders to discuss plans for the pedestrianisation of Oliver Plunkett Street.
The council is planning to pedestrianise the street and some side streets in the area from 11am to 7pm six days a week.
"We are hoping to implement the scheme this year maybe even later this summer," traffic engineer Noel Tumman said. "We are meeting traders to outline our proposals and tease out the issues with them."
Hydraulic bollards will rise from the streets blocking vehicular access. They can be lowered for emergency vehicles.
But Barry O'Connor, of O'Connors Shoes, said something will have to be done for traders who need to bring their cars into the city. Welcoming the completion of refurbishment works, he said: "What options will we have after pedestrianisation: park in a car park and be fleeced?"
The meeting with traders will take place as the new two-way system is introduced on Lancaster Quay/Western Road.
The street will become two-way from the junction with Courthouse Street to the junction with Mardyke Street from midday.
City-bound motorists driving up the Mardyke will be able to turn right onto Mardyke Street and then either left or right. A left turn was prohibited.
City-bound motorists will be able to drive up from this junction, up Washington street as far as the Capitol cinema.It is hoped the two-way system will be extended as far as the main gates of UCC.
The two-way system is part of the Number Eight Green Route, a council spokesperson said.
"The provision of two-way traffic on Lancaster Quay is to serve local traffic accessing residences and businesses in the area and is in accordance with the long-term strategy of reverting much of the one-way traffic system in the city centre to two-way."
Parking arrangements in the area are also being amended.
Merchants Quay was made two-way last year as part of the council's strategy. It has helped to ease traffic on the quays.
However, plans to make MacCurtain Street two-way have been shelved in the medium term.
Bus lanes will be installed along Bridge Street and MacCurtain Street to give priority to public transport.
South Mall and Anglesea Street, which are one-way, are also being looked at as possible two-way roads in the long-term.
