A €17.3 MILLION fund is now in place to kick off a major revamp of city centre streets involving pedestrianisation improvements, furniture provision, new lighting and landscaping.

City councillors voted at a meeting on Monday to unanimously support the project, which will initially concentrate on the Cross Street and Middle Street areas of the city.

Outdoor dining facilities – as well as the creation of mini ‘urban squares’ – will also feature in the inner city streetscape of the future, Senior City Council Planner Eoghan Lynch told Monday’s meeting.

Councillors warmly welcomed the proposals, with former Mayor of Galway Cllr Michael Crowe saying that the heart of the city badly needed some quality ‘TLC’ (tender loving care).

City Council Director of Services, Infrastructure Development and Planning, Uinsinn Finn, outlined in a report to councillors that plans were in train for the permanent pedestrianisation of Cross Street.

Pictured: Middle Street: Along with Cross Street, the project will focus on this area initially. PHOTO: JOE O’SHAUGHNESSY.