Council to examine possibility of converting part of Blarney St to one-way travel

The Blarney Street Resident’s Associations proposals for active travel measures will not address the issues in the area, but a one-way system might, council management has said.

Fianna Fáil councillor Tony Fitzgerald asked at the most recent local area committee meeting for an update on the proposed changes.

He was told: “Following a review and evaluation of the proposals submitted by the Blarney Street Resident’s Association, it has been concluded that the implementation of active travel measures would not adequately address the primary concerns identified on the street.

“The issues raised are predominantly related to parking capacity, availability, and management, rather than matters that could be effectively resolved through interventions aimed at promoting walking, cycling, or other sustainable transport modes.”

A spokesperson for council management said that while active travel initiatives can provide significant benefits in appropriate contexts, “in this instance they are not considered a viable solution”.

In light of this, consideration is to instead be given to alternative traffic management measures. In particular, the potential for converting a section of the street to a one-way traffic system will be explored further.

“Such a change may offer opportunities to improve traffic flow, enhance safety, and optimise the use of available road space, including the potential reconfiguration of on-street parking arrangements,” the council spokesperson said.

“However, it should be noted that progressing this option will be subject to the availability of the necessary financial resources to carry out a comprehensive feasibility and viability assessment to examine the practical implications, potential impacts, and overall effectiveness of any proposed changes.”