Number of Cork city streets to close to traffic for 'car-free day' on Saturday
Patrick Street, North Main Street, Cornmarket Street, Castle Street and Adelaide Street will all be closed to traffic from noon until 6.30pm on Saturday. Picture: Denis Scannell
Cork is set to host its first car-free day this weekend, with members of the public invited to walk, cycle, or take public transport into town and enjoy a city centre without traffic.
Patrick Street, North Main Street, Cornmarket Street, Castle Street and Adelaide Street will all be closed to traffic from noon until 6.30pm on Saturday.
Buses and taxis will be able to access Patrick Street as normal on Saturday afternoon, and the quays will remain open to traffic.
The city’s first car-free day comes following research, commissioned by Cork City Council's Climate Action Unit, that revealed 29% of greenhouse gas emissions in Cork city are caused by road transport.
A further study, published this week, revealed that almost two-thirds of Cork people surveyed strongly agree that Cork must transform into a more sustainable place to live and work, while 86% want more pedestrianised streets.
Car-free day will include public information stands on cycling and sustainable transport, and an interactive performance devised by performer and architect Carolina Erika Santos and facilitated by artist Claudia Renzi, where the people of Cork will be invited to pin their dreams of a city full of nature rather than traffic to a line between the two channels of the river to “fish for dreams”.
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Kieran McCarthy, said the day would be a small step in encouraging people to get out of the car and try a cleaner mode of transport.
“This is a great opportunity for people to come into town and shop, maybe get a bite to eat or just walk around the city centre and enjoy the calm atmosphere,” Cllr McCarthy said.
With Culture Night also taking place the night before and AutumnFest on Douglas Street the following day, it promises to be a great weekend of activity.
While car parks are unaffected for those who do need to take the car on Saturday, the organisers are encouraging everyone to walk, cycle or take public transport into town that day.
For a detailed map and further details see www.corkcity.ie
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