5: Accessibility and Connectivity
2. Capel Street - Mary Street - Mary’s Lane Junction The junction of Capel Street, Mary Street and Mary’s Lane is the pivotal space on Capel Street: the heart of the street. It is a centre of activity and forms the main link between the retail area of Henry Street/Mary Street to the east and the Markets area a short distance to the west. The junction is a busy intersection, generally dominated by traffic, where pedestrians are corralled and controlled. In order to fully assess this space, it is worthwhile considering the experience of the pedestrian as they walk from pedestrianised Henry Street/Mary Street to the junction with Capel Street and onward to the Markets. The following images illustrate this experience. 1. Junction Mary Street and Jervis Street
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1. The changed surface treatment here breaks the continuity from Henry Street. The signal crossing, road markings and traffic signage all reinforce the dominance of the car at this crossing point. The priority for this area of the city should be shared streets, which, while not excluding cars, restrict and slow traffic sufficiently to allow greater pedestrian activity and enjoyment of the urban experience. 2. Entirely unnecessary bollards and clutter reduce the sense of space afforded to pedestrians. Outdoor seating at The Church Bar is hemmed in behind railings. Connection to the public space at Wolfe Tone Square is limited. The overall sense is of control rather than comfort. 3. Vacant units and poorly maintained premises signal a deteriorating streetscape and lack of attraction. The quality of shop fronts along this section of Mary Street is generally poor. The sunny aspect of these units make them ideal for café or restaurant use with outdoor seating. 45