AN AFTERNOON car ban in Cork city centre looks set to be suspended after just three weeks in operation.
Cork’s main street, St Patrick’s Street, has been closed for cars from 3pm – 6.30pm every afternoon.
Since its introduction at the beginning of the month, traders in the city centre have complained about the lack of customers and income as a result of the move, claiming that it has been ‘killing the city’.
A city council meeting has been called for this evening where councillors are expected to recommend the temporary suspension, with immediate effect.
Furthermore, a series of parking incentives introduced last week to support city centre traders will be retained.
Today’s meeting was organised in response to a meeting last night of some 200 city traders who united in calls for the car ban to be scrapped. They say it has decimated afternoon trade and created an image that the city is closed.
Cork city council will now spend the next few months coming up with a new strategy to improve movement within the city centre.
