It’s going to be a summer of al fresco dining.

And next week, Cork City Council will start work on a project to facilitate the permanent pedestrianisation of 17 city centre streets, “making them more pleasant and safer for residents, shoppers and diners.”

The streets were temporarily pedestrianised last summer as part of the Reimagining Cork City programme, but following an overwhelmingly positive reaction to the initiative, it was agreed to permanently pedestrianise 17 of the streets from January 1st, 2021.

The City Council and its contractors Lagan Asphalt Ltd. will begin resurfacing works on Caroline Street, Pembroke Street, Oliver Plunkett Street, Cook Street and Maylor Street on April 12th.

Depending on the weather, similar works are expected to begin on Paul Street, St. Peter and Paul’s Place, Little Ann Street and Little Cross Street on April 19th.

On these dates, traders are encouraged to arrange deliveries for before 9:30am as once works begin, the streets will be inaccessible to vehicles.

“However, as work sites will be located behind barriers and pedestrian crossing points will be set up at key locations, all of these streets will remain accessible to pedestrians to the maximum extent possible.” said a Council spokesperson.

“Traffic management operatives will be onsite during daytime hours to assist with access to homes and businesses.”

What’s the plan?

Over the coming weeks, Cork City Council will begin to give permanent effect to pedestrianisation. The first streets where extended pedestrianised hours will be implemented are:

• Oliver Plunkett Street from 11am to 4am, 7 days a week
• Cook Street South, from 11am to 4am, 7 days a week
• Caroline Street, from 11am to 4am, 7 days a week
• Pembroke Street, from 9.30 am to 4am, 7 days a week
• Princes Street South, 30 am to 4am, 7 days a week
• The Marina, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

A second phase of permanent pedestrianisation will include:

• Grafton Street, from 11am to 4am, 7 days a week
• Marlboro Street South, from 11am to 4am, 7 days a week
• Robert Street, from 11am to 4am, 7 days a week
• Morgan Street, from 11am to 4am, 7 days a week
• Smith Street, from 11am to 4am, 7 days a week, from its junction with Oliver Plunkett Street to its junction with Phoenix Street
• Phoenix Street, from 9.30 am to 4am, 7 days a week, from its junction with Pembroke Street to its junction with Crane Lane
• Beasley Street, from 9.30 am to 4am, 7 days a week
• Tuckey Street, 11am to 4 am, 7 days a week
• Little Cross Street 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Little Ann Street, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Emmet Place, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Peter and Paul’s Place and part of Paul St., 24 hours a day, 7 days a week