Heading to town this weekend?

If you drop by Emmet Place you’ll notice it’s a little more people-friendly – the plaza that fronts the Crawford Art Gallery and Cork Opera House down to Lavitt’s Quay is the latest part of Cork city centre to be closed to cars.

Cork City Council is temporarily pedestrianising sections of the city centre to facilitate physical distancing and support local businesses during Covid-19. Public consultation around a proposed full road closure at Emmet Place took place. However, following feedback from local stakeholders, Cork City Council agreed to a partial closure.

Other streets that have been pedestrianised include Princes St, Pembroke St, Tuckey St and Harley St. The western end of Paul Street can no longer be used as a through road with local residents only allowed access to the street in vehicles.

Cork City Council, working with its partners, is also offering free street furniture licences so that hotels, restaurants, bars, wine bars, cafes and take away restaurants can use exterior space to serve customers.

“We are working with our partners to create a safer, more pleasant and greener city centre. We are very happy with how the city is being re-imagined as we learn to live with Covid-19,” said Director of Operations, David Joyce.

Two more public consultations around road closures at Little Ann Street and Little Cross Street are underway until noon tomorrow, Thursday.