Changes on the Way for Newmarket

Dublin City Council is pushing ahead with plans to improve pedestrian space at Newmarket. The City Council is proposing to begin work on an interim pedestrian improvement plan in January, restricting parking and traffic on the historic market square and substantially widening pavements to create a new pedestrian expanse on the south side of the square.

The measures were advertised earlier this year. The work is now expected to commence at the start of January and take about 6 weeks to complete. The main features of the scheme will include:

• A large extension of the footpath on the south side of Newmarket in front of the Teeling Distillery. Parking will be removed from this area
• Smaller extensions of the footpath on the north side of the square. Parking will also be largely removed here with the exception of two disabled parking bays and a loading area.
• The creation of a defined two-way vehicular route through the square. Car access will be fully restricted from the area to the south of the redundant weighstation building.
• Re-designation of car parking areas in the west end of Newmarket.
• New crossing points.
• Addition of planters and seating (to follow in spring) and additional cycle parking.
• No changes to Hop On Hop Off Bus access.

The interim measures will herald a significant rebalancing of public space at Newmarket in favour of pedestrians. Given the spate of recent developments around the square and surrounding streets, Newmarket is now home to 100s of new long term residents, 100s of students, hotel guests and visitors to the two distilleries in the area.  The needs of pedestrians now far outweigh the convenience previously offered by so much parking.

The interim measures will allow Newmarket to develop into a destination area, to become an inviting place to linger and it offers the opportunity for events and activities to happen on the square.