The Galway City Council hopes to have temporary measures in place to facilitate outdoor dining from June 7, and plans to pedestrianise a number of streets in the evening time to facilitate the outdoor dining trial this summer.
A number of traffic measures will be adopted across the city to enable outdoor dining take place. Ruairi Lehmann, Galway City Council tourism officer, discussed the plans at Monday's online meeting with local councillors.
He said that it was "more than just road closures" as the council was 'looking at public realm space' in an evolving process. Alterations will be made as required with Mr Lehmann confirming that 'plans are being developed with locals in mind' and that consultation with businesses and residents is ongoing.
Pedestrianisation
The plans include a mix of full road closures, evening closures from 6pm and reducing traffic to a one-lane system in certain areas.
Both Ravens Terrace and the Small Crane will be pedestrianised, evening closures will be introduced along Dominick Street Upper and William Street West, while a one-way traffic system will be implemented at Dominick Street Lower. In Woodquay, traffic will be closed on one side,while at Forster Street traffic will be reduced to one-lane in the evening time.
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Fine Gael Galway City Central councillor, Eddie Hoare said: “The outdoor dining trial this summer is most welcome, but it will only be successful if it is introduced in a controlled fashion. There are a number of residents living in our city centre and it is vitally important their voices are heard and privacy respected as the retail and hospitality sector begins to reopen."
Some residents have voiced concerns in relation to excessive on street drinking in Galway city. This practice is prohibited under the Control of the Consumption of Intoxicating Liquor Bye Laws 2015 adopted by Galway City Council.
Outdoor drinking
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“Outdoor drinking should only be permitted where a premises has a license to provide for outdoor seating," Cllr Hoare added. "If people start to spill onto the streets, it may be difficult to control crowds and it may become troublesome.
He concluded: "Notwithstanding this, the outdoor dining trial has great potential and I have no doubt it can be very successful if rolled out in a controlled manner."
