Dublin City Council has announced the start of works on the Temple Bar Square Area Improvement Scheme – a €5 million scheme encompassing Crown Alley, Temple Bar Square, Temple Bar Street and parts of Fownes Street Lower and Cope Street. 

Welcoming the start of works, Lord Mayor of Dublin, Caroline Conroy, said: "This area attracts approximately 60,000 pedestrians per day. Together with the ongoing works on Liffey Street, the decision to make Capel Street traffic-free and the plans for College Green, this is another important step in putting pedestrians at the heart of city life."

Dermot Collins from Dublin City Council's Roads Section, added: "This scheme will transform Temple Bar Square, including parts of Crown Alley and Fownes Street Lower. The construction works will create a single surface finish between the buildings on each side of the Square, including removal of the steps on the central portion of the Square. The construction works will also include levelling the height differential between kerbs and carriageway. The Scheme design will incorporate tree planting, new bench seating and a new public lighting system."

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Temple Bar Street, located between Fownes Street Lower and Temple Lane South and Crown Alley will be reconstructed with granite footpaths and the traditional Temple Bar cobbled carriageways. Once completed, the project will result in a greatly enhanced public realm and pedestrian friendly space, which will facilitate more public and cultural activities.

The Scheme is within the existing pedestrianised section of the greater Temple Bar area, with deliveries permitted between 0600-1100 hrs only. For the majority of work on the Square, existing delivery vehicle access routes will be maintained. However, as work progresses, some road closures and diversion routes will be required. Details of these will be published through dublincity.ie, in advance of their commencement. Any revised traffic management arrangements will facilitate deliveries to within the project area. Pedestrian access will be maintained to all premises affected by construction activity throughout the works.

The work is expected to take 18 months to complete