City to be car-free this Saturday

Cork City will be holding its first Car-Free Day in the city centre this Saturday, 23 September, from 12 noon until 6:30pm.

It comes following research, commissioned by Cork City Council's Climate Action Unit, that revealed 29% of greenhouse gas emissions in Cork City are caused by road transport.

The quays will be open to traffic as normal and street closures will be applied to Patrick Street, North Main Street, Cornmarket Street, Castle Street and Adelaide Street from 12 noon to 6.30pm. Buses and taxis will be able to access Patrick Street as normal.

Members of the public are encouraged to come to town on Saturday without their cars, either on foot, by bicycle or on public transport to enjoy the streets without traffic and soak up the atmosphere, which will include public information stands on cycling and sustainable transport, and an interactive performance devised by Carolina Erika Santos where people will be invited to pin their dreams of a city full of nature to a line between the two rivers to ‘fish for dreams’.

Speaking about the initiative, Lord Mayor, Cllr Kieran McCarthy said: "This is a great opportunity for people to come into town and shop, maybe get a bite to eat or just walk around the city centre and enjoy the calm atmosphere.”

The Green Party welcomed the news, with Cllr Colette Finn, Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork City, saying: “I am delighted to see that Cork has finally gotten its first car free day. In line with international car free days, we are starting to turn the corner on our car dependence. Long may it last.”