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Cornmarket - Entrance to The Liberties Cornmarket
A natural gathering place as its name suggests, Cornmarket is the gateway to The Liberties and visitors’ first impression of Thomas Street. However, despite public realm enhancements in 2007, Cornmarket fails to act as a public space because of its lack of a defining focal point; because it is compromised by a traffic lane and street parking; and because it is subject to an excessive clutter of bollards, street signs and utilities. The vertical emphasis of all these bollards and lamp standards subliminally diminishes the sense of space to the pedestrian. The left-turning lane and parking spaces are misguided and only serve to negate any purposeful use of the space. A planned sculpture was never installed.
Thomas Street: Improving the Public Face of an Historic City Centre Street