St Patrick’s Street to Get Greener

Cork City Council has announced a pilot scheme for St Patrick's Street that will see the area decluttered, greened, and redesigned to create a more welcoming public space in the heart of the city.

The initiative, funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA), will focus on two areas: the plaza on the eastern side of the street at its junction with Winthrop Street, and an area on the western side outside Dunnes Stores.

Key changes include the relocation of some bus stops from the St Patrick's Street and Winthrop Street plaza to just north of Maylor Street, the removal of the bus man's hut and a taxi shelter, and the installation of new high-quality seating and planters for shrubs and trees in the space freed up.

Cork City Council has consulted with a range of stakeholders during the planning process, including Bus Éireann, the NTA, taxi representatives, disability access groups, local businesses, and community organisations.

The pilot will run for a minimum of 12 months and a maximum of 18 months, during which the council will monitor use of the new space and seek feedback from businesses and the general public through a dedicated email address.

Works are scheduled to begin in June, starting with the relocation of the bus stops and removal of redundant street furniture, followed by the broader pilot scheme works.

The council confirmed the changes will not affect the Rotary Club's annual Remembrance Tree at Christmas, which will continue at its traditional location on the plaza.

A spokesperson for Cork City Council said:

"St Patrick's Street is the civic spine of our city, and these improvements are about giving people more reasons to stop, sit and enjoy it. We look forward to engaging with stakeholders in the weeks ahead and delivering a greener, cleaner and more attractive public space for all."

The St Patrick's Street scheme forms part of wider investment in Cork city centre's public realm, which has recently included upgrades to South Main Street, Tuckey Street, Proby's Quay, and Morrison's Island, as well as the regeneration of Bishop Lucey Park and the opening of a new pedestrian and cycle bridge linking Lambley's Lane to Wandesford Quay.

Members of the public can view full details of the scheme and make submissions from 15 June on the council's consultation portal at consult.corkcity.ie.