York Hill to Close to Through Traffic from Monday as Cork City Council Promotes Sustainable Travel

• Cork City Council will implement filtered permeability on York Hill from Monday, 18 August 2025, blocking through vehicular traffic whilst maintaining pedestrian and cycle access in a move to encourage more sustainable travel options in the city.

The popular connecting route between Wellington Road and Summerhill North will no longer be available for through traffic from Monday morning, though the street will remain fully accessible for pedestrians and cyclists travelling in both directions.

The change forms part of Cork City Council's ongoing efforts to create more liveable neighbourhoods and reduce unnecessary car journeys through residential areas. Similar filtered permeability schemes have been successfully implemented in other parts of the city to calm traffic whilst maintaining essential access.

Residents of York Terrace needn't worry about losing access to their homes; vehicular entry to these properties will be maintained via Summerhill North. The measure specifically targets through traffic that uses York Hill as a shortcut, rather than those who need to access properties on the street itself.

The timing of the implementation, starting on a Monday, gives weekend visitors one final chance to use the familiar route before adapting to the new layout. Motorists who regularly use York Hill as part of their commute should plan alternative routes via the main road network.

For cyclists and pedestrians, it's business as usual, with the added benefit of reduced traffic making the route potentially safer and more pleasant for active travel. The retained two-way access for bikes and foot traffic ensures the street remains a valuable connection for those choosing more sustainable transport options.

Cork City Council has not indicated whether this is a trial measure or a permanent change, though similar schemes elsewhere in the city have typically been monitored before final decisions are made.