New railings to curb access to steps of Bank

Young people in Dublin are to lose one of their favourite weekend gathering places when the Central Bank rails off the granite steps in front of its towering headquarters on Dame Street.

Concerns about security as well as anti-social behaviour - including endless grafitti, evidence of drug-taking and public urination after dark - prompted the bank to re-order its south-facing open plaza.

Mr Hugh O'Donnell, the bank's head of corporate services, said keeping the plaza clean had proved to be "extremely difficult"; not even power-hosing was enough to get rid of the ingrained scars.

Passers-by late on Saturday night or early on Sunday morning have often seen the Central Bank steps strewn with bottles and beer cans, while used condoms and syringes could be found in the shrubbery.

"We regularly have important visitors and it doesn't exactly give the right impression," Mr O'Donnell said. Although a man is employed to keep the plaza clean, its intensive use had defeated his best efforts.

Last February, Dublin Corporation granted planning permission to the Central Bank for a u£1 million scheme by Mr Sam Stephenson, architect of the building, which is intended to deal with the present shortcomings.

The corporation's decision, which was uncontested, permits the bank to close off public access to the steps by erecting a U-shaped set of railings and gates directly in front of them.

The railings, some two metres high, are to be mounted on a curved granite plinth which will double as replacement seating. They are also "kinked" slightly to accommodate the Crann an Oir sculpture.

"Without making any bones about it, this is going to stop people sitting on the front steps," Mr O'Donnell said, "but more space will be gained by removing that rather ugly fountain at the corner of Fownes Street."

Hoardings have already been erected to permit the demolition of this box-like fountain. This is actually an elaborate fire escape from the bank's two-level basement car park, which contains 120 spaces.

Mr O'Donnell said the fire authorities had assured the bank that it could safely dispense with the structure as there were sufficient alternative means of escape, such as the rear entrance on Cope Street.

A new set of railings is also to be erected here, primarily for security reasons. These railings will be similar to the set installed some years ago along the main pedestrian route from Crown Alley to Dame Street.

Air intake and exhaust vents on the west side of the Central Bank plaza, where the fountain is currently located, will be concealed by the provision of more public seating in the form of granite benches.

All of the existing trees on the plaza are being retained, but the thicket of shrubs will be replaced by a lawn behind the new railings. The bank is now seeking a street artist to decorate the hoardings on the site.

"Everybody seems to be pleased with the scheme, including Temple Bar Properties," Mr O'Donnell said, adding that it would improve the area - and perhaps restore the dignity which the Central Bank has lost.