Capel Street Update – November 2022

The Dublin Central Area Committee of Dublin City Council considered a detailed update on Capel Street at our monthly meeting today.

While you can review the details below, I can advise that this update contained details of the actions that have taken place since September along Capel Street and on the surrounding area. It also contains future planned initiatives that will be actioned by the Traffic Department, the Parks Department and the Office of City
Recovery who have been working together to enhance the street.

Today’s Area Committee meeting received confirmation that a long-planned workshop involving Councillors, businesses, local residents and other parties to discuss the medium and longer plan for the enhancement of Capel Street will finally take place before the end of November. When I sought agreement from the Area Committee back in May for the introduction of pedestrianised Capel Street, this was a key component in securing that approval.

Finally, there has been much discussion at the Area Committee as to whether Councillors would vote on whether to retain the scheme or not! Debate about whether such a vote was necessary or preferred. As Chairman of the Dublin Central Area Committee, I determined that it was necessary for Councillors to hold a vote on the retention of the pedestrianized initiative Capel Street in order to given democratic legitimacy to it and called for such a vote today. The result was eight votes in favour, two against and 1 abstention.

Now that the Area Committee has made this decision, I believe, it will provide a stronger opportunity for Councillors to secure funding in the forthcoming Council Estimates and other avenues to support the enhancement of the public realm and streetscape along Capel Street.