A new plaza layout for the next 12 months
12:39, 29 May 2026Updated 13:12, 29 May 2026
St. Patrick’s Street Pilot Scheme
The City Council is going to trial run a new plaza layout on Cork’s busiest street. The pilot scheme is part of a big rejuvenation plan for the city centre, and includes changes to bus stops, taxi ranks and ‘unnecessary’ street furniture.
Planners have proposed a major “decluttering and greening” with the St. Patrick’s Street Pilot Scheme. It will comprise a big traffic management and public realm enhancement project – giving the eastern end of Pana a mini makeover.
St. Patrick’s Street Pilot Scheme
Key elements include:
The relocation of some bus stopsThe removal of the ‘bus man’s hut’ and a taxi shelter outside DunnesInstallation of new high-quality seating and planters for shrubs and trees.
The National Transport Authority-funded pilot scheme runs from June 14 for 12 months, on a “trial basis” to assess the effectiveness of the changes.
It is all in support of the Cork City Centre Rejuvenation Plan and the Cork City Centre Development & Operations Directorate Action Plan – both of which focus on enhanced public transport, city centre vitality and public health and well-being.
St. Patrick’s Street Pilot Scheme
The scheme will include the temporary suspension of taxi stands, the relocation of bus stops, and the removal of redundant street furniture. These measures will remove unnecessary or outdated street furniture, including a hut and some railings, to improve the plaza layout.
The first phase will involve relocating the bus stops and removing redundant street furniture in June. Bus stops will be moved from St Patrick’s St/Winthrop St plaza up the road north of Maylor Street.
The Rotary Club’s annual Remembrance Tree will still be at its usual location outside Brown Thomas at Christmas.
The public can have their say on the scheme plans at the consultation portal online until May 2027. Feedback will also be sought from local businesses, as well as bus operators, taxi representatives, disability access groups and community organisations.
A spokesperson for Cork City Council said: “St Patrick’s Street is the civic spine of our city, and these improvements are about giving people more reasons to stop, sit and enjoy it. We look forward to engaging with stakeholders in the weeks ahead and delivering a greener, cleaner and more attractive public space for all.”