The eagerly awaited refurbishment of Francis Street in The Liberties is still a work in progress which is a bit disappointing. In July 2021 it was indicated that the project would be completed within ten months however more recent statements claim that the work will be completed by Autumn 2022. I will be surprised if the project will be completed before Christmas.
In June 2017 Dublin City Council announced a proposal to undertake a public realm improvement plan for Francis Street, Hanover Lane and Dean Street, Dublin 8. The proposal comprised improvements to the public realm along the full length of Francis Street, Hanover Lane and part of Dean Street to include kerb buildouts along with footway repaving, raised junction plateaus, kerb buildouts to formalise parallel parking and loading bays, landscaping, bicycle stands, carriageway resurfacing, raised pedestrian crossings and ramps, public lighting improvements and all associated ancillary works.
When finished the street will be paved largely with a mix of the existing antique granite kerbs (which will be realligned) and concrete flagstones. Two higher finish areas to the front of Iveagh Market and St Nicholas de Myra Church will be completed with granite setts. 20 new Gleditsia triacanthos (honey locust) trees will be planted and a number of low-level planted areas are also planned, bringing greenery to the street. A number of sustainable urban drainage (SUDs) measures are being incorporated into the street including areas of permeable carriageway.
BROADSTONE GATE NOT YET OPERATIONAL – NEW ENTRANCE TO TU CAMPUS AT GRANGEGORMAN
The was supposed to be operational by the end of last month but all building work has been suspended because of health emergency restrictions.
The Broadstone Gate will provide a key access to the Grangegorman site once complete and is being developed as part of the Luas Cross City works. It will be finished as a public plaza and the access will provide a major linkage between Grangegorman and Dublin city. The plaza is situated off Constitution Hill on the site of the Old Royal Canal at the former Great Western Railway Station commonly known as Broadstone, and will mark a prominent entrance to the Grangegorman urban quarter.
The Broadstone site, which borders Grangegorman on its east side, was subject to a Part VIII planning process in 2014 in order to facilitate the site development and gate access.
Under the Grangegorman Masterplan, the primary urban path through Grangegorman – St Brendan’s Way will link with the Broadstone Gate which when completed will reach as far as Prussia Street. The link with Broadstone can also be seen as an extension to the 18th century historic spine of Dublin City which covered Dublin Castle across Grattan Bridge, along Capel Street/Bolton Street, Henrietta Street and King’s Inn.
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