Green light for upgrade project at Cork's Emmet Place

Cork City Council has approved the proposed Emmet Place Enhancement Project, which will see an extension of pedestrianisation as well as more plants and public seating.

The plan was passed unanimously by Cork city councillors but the work is not set to start until after the redevelopment of the Crawford Art Gallery in 2027.

Lord Mayor, and Green Party councillor for the South Central ward, Dan Boyle, told The Echo that the final proposals were very exciting.

He said: “I believe they will enhance an important public space in the city.

“Allied with changes being made to the Crawford Art Gallery, we will have a public space in which we can take pride.”

The scheme will extend the pedestrianisation of Emmet Place from the Opera Lane end to Lavitt’s Quay, though vehicular access will be permitted to facilitate major deliveries to the Crawford Art Gallery, temporary events, emergencies, and servicing.

Other works include the removal of the set-down area at the northern end of Emmet Place and the relocation of the loading bay, the provision of integrated planters with seating, and the relocation of bicycle stands.

Thirty-nine submissions were received following public consultation, with a significant number expressing their support for the general public realm improvements and suggesting minor additions, including more bins and historical signage. The council said these will be assessed at detailed design stage.

The council said the “opening up” of Emmet Place and decluttering will “allow for more opportunities for seasonal markets, stages, events etc that are currently restricted by the layout”.

While some submissions welcomed the proposal to remove the lay-by on Lavitt’s Quay, others “strongly opposed” it.

The council said it is recognised that loading and set-down space is required to service the various entities in the vicinity but the current layout is not compliant with traffic safety standards.

The new plans propose to realign the western crossing from the Christy Ring Bridge to allow the creation of additional formal set-down space approximately 20m west of the current lay-by, which will be fully accessible.

Issues raised in the submissions were considered and amendments were made based on them, such as the loading bay proposed outside Costa being relocated to the southern side of the road at the same location.