Cllr calls for 'Pana Ban' to be extended
The future of the so-called ‘Pana Ban’ will be examined as part of the Cork Bus Connects Programme.
That was the sentiment of a City Hall official last night following a motion asking for it to be extended.
Green Party Cllr Oliver Moran asked in a motion for the hours of operation of restrictions on private motor vehicles using St Patrick's Street will be extended to begin mid-morning and that rising bollards or bus lane cameras will be installed to ensure compliance.
Under the restrictions, access to St Patrick’s Street is limited to buses, taxis, emergency vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists from 3-6.30pm each day.
A report on Cllr Moran’s motion was furnished to city councillors during last night’s Cork City Council meeting.
The report stated that the need for additional bus priority across the city road network, including St Patrick's Street, will be examined as part of the Cork Bus Connects Programme.
The report said: “In this regard, members will be aware, that the National Transport Authority has appointed specialist designers, Jarrett Walker Associates, to undertake a review of bus services in Cork. This review will consider where buses will run, the times and frequencies of services, the location of passenger interchanges etc.”
The report continued: “The related issues were documented and published in a Choices Report which was issued for public consultation in July 2021. The revised network layout will be published in Q1 2022. In parallel with the foregoing, the National Transport Authority has appointed a number of design teams to develop improvement proposals for the core bus corridors so as to better support the efficient running of bus services.
“It is anticipated that the emerging proposals will similarly be the subject of public consultation in Q1/2 2022 before the completion and publication of an overall plan of improvement measures.”
The report concluded: “It is to be noted that in addition to bus priority measures, it is expected that the network improvement proposals will also include proposals for public realm, walking and cycling improvements.”