Pedestrianisation trial of Plunkett St underway

Council to examine impact of move

THE day-time pedestrianisation of Plunkett Street in Killarney is currently taking place to see how such a move would affect the town, before a final decision is taken on whether or not to close Plunkett Street to traffic on a permanent basis.

Plunkett street is currently closed to traffic by day until April 9 to see the effects of such a move and the street will also remain closed to traffic for much of this summer to fully determine how it would affect the town.

A trial pedestrianisation will take place from May 11 to May 21 and again from June 29 to September 3, it has been announced.

The proposal was put to the public and some concerns were raised about pedestrianising the street by day.

For this reason it is only being done on a trial basis and in particular to allow the local authority to assess the effects it would have on traffic flow.

The chosen trial periods are to encompass busy school periods and summer traffic.

Mayor of Killarney, Cllr Niall Kelleher, said that no decision will be made on pedestrianising Plunkett Street until the trials are completed and councillors and management can see the effects on the town.

“It will have to be assessed.”

However, from April 19, Plunkett Street, will be pedestrianised every nighttime from 7pm to 7am. This follows on from its success last year when the idea was first trialled and proved popular.

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Plunkett St, which is currently the subject of a daytime pedestrianisation trial.