MacCurtain Street business owners worried area will become 'travel corridor' when Luas built
Proposed Cork Luas Route will travel through MacCurtain Street.
Business and political figures have continued to raise concerns about the impact a Cork Luas line could have on MacCurtain Street, following the conclusion of public consultation on its preferred route in June.
Social Democrat TD for Cork South Central Pádraig Rice told the that while he holds “full support” for Luas Cork, he is still worried the development could hamper the northside thoroughfare and reduce its capacity for outdoor dining.
“I do share the disappointment of business owners that the proposed route still plans to rip up the recently completed regeneration of MacCurtain Street,” Mr Rice said.
About €4.5m was budgeted towards redeveloping and pedestrianising the street in 2023.
“We must be clear that investment in transport infrastructure should be encouraging the provision of outdoor dining, not limiting it,” he continued.
“Consideration should also be given to measures to mitigate unnecessary through-traffic on the street. Every effort must be made to protect the vibrancy of the street environment and to ensure the efficient operation of Luas services.”
In the initial consultations window for Luas Cork, businesses on the street, including the Paladar Bar, The Glass Curtain, and Hotel Isaacs lodged submissions about the possible economic knockbacks of the project, including impacts on their underground cellars and the potential to harm pedestrian access.
Seán Gargano, owner of the MacCurtain Wine Cellar, received assurances his cellar would not be affected, but told the he was worried the street may become part of a “travel corridor” rather than a “destination”.
“Once you become a corridor, you're no longer a destination. It’s an area of movement rather than a place to come to,” he said. “As a business owner, the ideal would be if you’re adjacent to a travel corridor.
“Cities are made up of these little main streets, places like MacCurtain Street that are amazing because it's all little private, independent businesses.”
Mr Gargano said he remained supportive of the Luas, and said criticisms of 'nimbyism' were frustrating.
“People always think that our industry is all about profit; we're the exact opposite of that.”
He said the street, which is relatively tight in its dimensions, could become overburdened by a tram system. He suggested the ideal route for the Luas would stretch down the quays.
“We have an opportunity [to go down the quays] that's there, and [the planners] just say no… I'm just saying, 'why aren't we looking at this?'
“For us, those little things they haven't been able to answer: Are we going with overhead cables? Are we going with a mixed use of traffic? What is going to be the case?”
Luas Cork and the National Transport Authority are now processing submissions made in the consultation period. The 18km light rail project, intended to travel from Ballincollig to Mahon Point, is expected to be completed by 2036.
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