The night time pedestrianisation of Capel Street and Parliament Street in Dublin city centre at weekends will be extended for another six weeks Dublin City Council has said.
Cars have been banned from the streets, which face each other over the river Liffey at Grattan Bridge, from 6.30pm to 11.30pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday since June 11th, to facilitate outdoor dining.
The traffic free trial was to remain in place until July 18th, but the council has decided to extend the measure for at least another six weeks, to August 29th.
The move follows the Government decision to postpone the resumption of indoor dining and drinking. Pubs, cafes and restaurants had been due to reopen for indoor service this week.
The council has already eliminated most on-street parking on Capel Street to create space for tables and chairs and has also pedestrianised a 60m section of the northern end of the street between Parnell Street and Ryder’s Row on a full time basis .
Lord Mayor of Dublin Alison Gilliland said she was delighted to see the trial extended.
“There has been overwhelmingly positive feedback from the public since the trial first began. Businesses and their customers alike have enjoyed the space to dine out and pedestrians have enjoyed the extra space to walk around at their ease,” she said.
“It therefore makes perfect sense that it should continue, particularly given the uncertainty around indoor dining. I would encourage people to pop in and check it out if you haven’t done so already. There’s a great atmosphere in our city.”
