Cork movement strategy report recommends Patrick Street car ban

galwaycyclist

Cork movement strategy report recommends Patrick Street car ban
http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/cork-movement-strategy-report-recommends-patrick-street-car-ban-575315.html

Is the penny finally dropping among Irish transport planners?

Louche Lad

galwaycyclist wrote: »

Cork movement strategy report recommends Patrick Street car ban
http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/cork-movement-strategy-report-recommends-patrick-street-car-ban-575315.html

Is the penny finally dropping among Irish transport planners?

A good idea - car bans do seem to enhance the quality of shopping streets in my experience.

By the way: has Oliver Plunkett street got some sort of car restrictions already? I have noticed in my recent visits to Cork that there aren't many cars moving along it, and many pedestrians seem to walk in the road.

trellheim

This is friggin stupid. Cork traffic is hamstrung by having poor access to river crossings. Pedestrianizing Patrick Street will only push more shoppers out to Mahon etc because they just won't put up with the poor access

number10a

If it's done properly with other streets improved, like Grattan Street, Dyke Parade, Washington Street and the quays (north and south), then it can work properly. Being able to wander down Patrick Street without having to cross back and forth, and without having to dodge swaying eejits at narrow parts like outside HMV and Penneys will hugely improve the shopping experience and IMO bring people into town.

corktina

Louche Lad wrote: »

A
By the way: has Oliver Plunkett street got some sort of car restrictions already? I have noticed in my recent visits to Cork that there aren't many cars moving along it, and many pedestrians seem to walk in the road.

yep

CIE

trellheim wrote: »

This is friggin stupid. Cork traffic is hamstrung by having poor access to river crossings. Pedestrianizing Patrick Street will only push more shoppers out to Mahon etc because they just won't put up with the poor access

It's also funny how there is a big push to do stuff like this without figuring out how patrons will get to and from these locations, especially with fewer access points even for transport. They going to resurrect all the West Cork railway lines and the "light railway" narrow-gauge lines as underground (or even elevated) heavy and light rail? because that will be the only way to truly make it viable.

number10a

CIE wrote: »

It's also funny how there is a big push to do stuff like this without figuring out how patrons will get to and from these locations, especially with fewer access points even for transport. They going to resurrect all the West Cork railway lines and the "light railway" narrow-gauge lines as underground (or even elevated) heavy and light rail? because that will be the only way to truly make it viable.

Patrons will get to and from these locations like they always did. There are virtually no parking spaces on Patrick Street and there are no car parks leading off it. Virtually all traffic driving on Patrick Street is going north-south through town, or vice versa, as opposed to having the city centre as their intended destination. The percentage of people who are "heading into town" who need to drive down Patrick Street is miniscule. At the best of times it takes ten minutes to drive down it, so why would you do it when there are plenty parking options available for shoppers coming from all directions.

The bus stops can be moved with a little changing of the bus routes. Parnell Place and South Mall can be made two-way and serve quite well for facilitating the buses that currently use Patrick Street. In my opinion, it would be more effective. EDIT: Okay, maybe not that option. Just remembered that traffic on Parnell Bridge drives on the right and changing that to driving on the left would have huge repercussions. Anyway, I'm sure someone can work it out. It's Friday evening so I'm tired.

Nowadays, no city's main shopping street should have as much traffic as Patrick Street does. It's a beautiful street, and very unique in that it's curved because of the river underneath it. The traffic and all the trappings that come with it seriously take away from this beauty. Cork has no central square, (Daunt Square is hardly suited to being any city's main square). However, a pedestrianised Patrick Street, especially around the Savoy and Brown Thomas would look wonderful and could serve as a gathering spot for homecomings, concerts, festivals etc. I really hope they go ahead with the plans this time.

Markcheese

Always thought Pana should be one way for buses only , leading on to a bus lane on grand parade, south mall and back around mechants quay...

Chris_5339762

This would be a great idea, but unfortunately Patrick Street is one of only a few cross city routes. We'd really need to have Dunkettle done and the North Ring built before we could do this easily.

CIE

number10a wrote: »

Patrons will get to and from these locations like they always did

...or they'll give Patrick Street the boot and commerce will suffer.

number10a

CIE wrote: »

...or they'll give Patrick Street the boot and commerce will suffer.

But as the overwhelming majority of drivers don't use Patrick Street to get into town, why would it make any difference to them if the street is pedestrianised or not?

Solair

I think it would be a very welcome and a huge improvement. As it stands, it's a bit like still having traffic on Henry Street or Grafton Street in Dublin.

Patrick's Street is without doubt one of the best shopping areas in Ireland. I think removing the traffic would increase footfall in the shops.

Driving through Patrick's Street is a bit pointless. It typically takes between 10 mind and up to 40min at rush hour...

There are plenty of multistorey car parks within a very short walk from it too : Paul Street, Merchants Quay, Grand Parade and just across the river on Patrick's Quay and the other QPark opposite the opera house.

There's also basically no parking on Patrick's Street as it stands. Most of it is taxi ranks (which incidentally are getting ridiculous... There are WAY too many taxis!)

It would be a very big improvement.

Also from a public transport point if view, there's no logic in having busses sitting on a clogged up Patrick Street at rush hour. Cross city routes actually cease to function at peak times!!

corktina

the only time I drive down Patrick street is to arrive at the Cork School of Music the right way around for ease of pick-up. It would not cause much of a problem if I had to arrive the other way round!, If ever I visit Patrick St I access Merchants Quay car park from Parnell Place or Paul St car park form the quays.

I can't really see that it would affect traffic too much as it would also remove some conflicting movements.

cross- river traffic to and from Western Road could divert via South Mall which could have it's capacity raised by reducing parking

bk

I think this is a fantastic idea, well over due.

It is clear that CIE has no idea about Cork and the reality of how traffic currently operates around Patricks Street. As others have pointed out there is almost no parking on Patricks St and most people use one of the large number of car parks surrounding it on all sides.

It would have no impact at all on drivers ability to access Patricks St. and I can certainly see it increasing usage of the street as it becomes a much more safe and attractive place to hang out (just look at how busy Paul Street always is, imagine that sort of atmosphere all along Patricks St).

As for public transport, many of the cross city bus routes have already been redirected off Patricks and onto the Quays over the last few years, it would really have little impact.

dowlingm

I think the way Pana was redone that this was in mind but they didn't think they could get away with it in one go.