Category Archives: Ward Development

NTA Bus Connects, Mangala Bridge & Shamrock Lawn Phase 2 Plans, 12 April 2023

Cork City Events, Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Development

The public consultation phase two maps on Bus Connects have now been published by the National Transport Authority (NTA). It is my understanding that affected local residents have received letters from the NTA.

My sincere thanks to all those who made submissions to the NTA voicing not only concerns but viable alternatives.

The upshot of the phase one consultation has led to the complete removal of a proposal for a bridge over the Mangala, which included a compulsory purchase order of the Grange Avenue green buffer strip with Grange Road.

What now just remains in the phase 2 maps is a proposal to set back the main entrance to Shamrock Road, to allow the bus to flow freer (see attached map over the page). There are still some questions on whether older trees will be kept or not in this location.

Wider info of the phase two maps can be viewed at www.busconnects/cork or at the NTA open day meeting for the phase 2 plans at Nemo Rangers, South Douglas Road on Thursday 20 April, 10am-7pm.

My thanks again to all who engaged with the Bus Connects process. I also remain at your disposal for any help with any other local concerns.

NTA Bus Connects, Removal of Well Road from Phase 2 Plans, 11 April 2023

Kieran's Council Work, Landscapes, Uncategorized, Ward Development

The public consultation phase two maps on Bus Connects have now been published by the National Transport Authority (NTA). It is my understanding that affected local residents have received letters from the NTA.

My sincere thanks to all those who made submissions to the NTA voicing not only concerns but viable alternatives.

The upshot of the phase one consultation for Well Road has led to the complete removal of proposals for the road, which included compulsory purchase orders of many front gardens, stone wall reconstruction, and associated tree and biodiversity culling.

Wider info of the phase two maps can be viewed at www.busconnects/cork or at the NTA open day meeting for the phase 2 plans at Rochestown Park Hotel on Friday 21 April, 10am-7pm.

Bus Connects & Boreenmana Road, 10 April 2023

Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Development

The public consultation phase two maps on Bus Connects have now been published by the National Transport Authority (NTA). It is my understanding that affected local residents have received letters from the NTA.

My sincere thanks to all those who made submissions and especially to the wider Boreenmanna Road residents group, who liased with the NTA a number of times voicing not only concerns but also viable alternatives.

The upshot of the phase one consultation has led to a large number of changes, which in particular keep 95 per cent of the road’s tree line and remove the need for 95 per cent of proposed compulsory purchase orders.

The revised drawings have the following elements:

  1. Majority of public trees retained.
  2. CPO properties significantly reduced.
  3. Staggered & dedicated bus lane in certain places along Boreenmanna road. Meaning, sections of the Boreenmanna Road have 1 bus lane in parts and 2 bus lanes in other sections. It is this way because it causes less damage to the area.
  4. Ballinlough park untouched.
  5. Bike lanes where feasible (both directions) are positioned on north side of the road.
  6. Significant off-street parking lost due to bus lane and/or bike lanes.
  7. Toucan crossing (pedestrian & cyclist shared crossing) located in multiple locations.
  8. Bottom of Crab Lane large foot path to be reduced to facilitate some off street parking.
  9. Rockboro school entrance to be changed to help reduce congestion.
  10. Between Rockboro entrance and end of row of homes, there is expected to be dedicated off street parking.
  11. Water works (by pitch & putt club) enclosed area is investigated for provision of car park spacing. This area for many years has been proposed by local residents as a community garden.

The full set of maps are available under the Mahon to City (bus corridor J) at www.busconnects/cork. Info can also be attained from the NTA at their open day meeting at Rochestown Park Hotel on Friday 21 April 10am-7pm.

Cllr McCarthy: People Power Continues to take on NTA’s Bus Connects, 4 April 2023

Climate Action, Kieran's Council Work, Landscapes, Uncategorized, Ward Development

Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy has noted it has been people power, which has led to changes to the National Transport Authority’s Cork Bus Connects project phase 1. Cllr McCarthy has now called on affected local residents to continue their engagement with the phase 2 of round of public consultation.

The National Transport Authority’s second phase of public consultation will run from 30 March until 25 May 2023. The latest round of public consultation centres on the Preferred Route Options are available to view on the Cork Bus Connects website.

View: Cork | Busconnects

Following the first round of public consultation, the NTA has been reviewing the almost 3,000 submissions made by the public and engaging constructively with 35 residents’, business and special interest groups across the city. Community Forums were also established for each corridor to enable a two-way dialogue with local communities to help inform the review process.

Cllr McCarthy noted:

“It has been a very long nine months in my local area as local residents worried about the results of the NTA consultation. The array of climb downs on proposed changes to local roads is to be welcomed. In Douglas and Ballinlough, the original proposals involved mass tree destruction of road side trees along Boreenmanna Road and urban forestry in the Mangala as well as vast CPO-ing of property across a number of local roads including Well Road. During last summer I was vocal that many of the proposals could be described as environmental vandalism.

I had so many impacted residents highly worried that their neighbourhoods would become wide motorways devoid of biodiversity and taking large chunks of their front gardens. My sincere thanks to the many residents’ groups who formed and lobbied for effective change, compromise and alternatives in the proposals. Great credit is due to their energy and effort.

The nature of Douglas Road’s future landscape is still in limbo. Residents and I still have concerns over the proposed half a kilometre of dismantling of historic stone wall and clearing largescale road side biodiversity.  I call on the NTA to listen to resident’s alternatives and to rethink about the large scale destruction of the road’s heritage. It is also highly important that affected residents attend the upcoming public consultation meetings and express their concerns”, concluded Cllr McCarthy.

Cllr McCarthy: More Communication essential between NTA and Resident Groups on Bus Corridors, 10 March 2023

Kieran's Council Work, Landscapes, Uncategorized, Ward Development, Ward Events

Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy has called for more consistent and meaningful communication between the NTA and Residents Groups. Proposals for 12 Sustainable Transport Corridors including Maryborough Hill to Douglas Road for BusConnects Cork were published in June 2022 as part of the first round of public consultation. The consultation closed in early October last year.

Following the first round of public consultation, the NTA has been reviewing the almost 3,000 submissions made by the public. The BusConnects Cork team has also met with 33 residents’ and business groups across the city since summer 2022 with meetings ongoing. The  engagement process has resulted in a number of revisions and alternatives to the initial proposals and these will inform part of the next round of public consultation for people’s feedback.

However Cllr Kieran McCarthy has noted that some of the feedback has been haphazard; “I am hearing that some residents groups in the Douglas area have had multiple meetings and others have had none. The communication process must be consistent. We will entering phase 2 of the public consultation process in early April and it important that compromises and alternatives, where relevant are actually discussed and explored – otherwise the consultation element is just a tick the box action”. 

“I remain deeply worried for the built and natural heritage of several areas of the NTA plans. The decision to omit the bridge proposal over the Mangala is welcome but the thought of kilometres of trees and garden space being ripped out along route ways such as Douglas Road, Boreenmanna Road and Well Road is very worryingly indeed. Hence why meaningful dialogue is very important between stakeholders”, concluded Cllr McCarthy.

Kieran’s Question to CE and Motions, Cork City Council meeting, 13 February 2023

Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Development

Question to the CE: 

To ask the CE about the mechanisms in place to combat homelessness this winter in the city? 

How many homelessness cases on the streets in the last weekend of January 2023? 

Are their beds available for all homelessness at this point in time in the city (early February 2023)? 

How many emergency accommodation units? 

To ask for the breakdown of finance given to housing homeless agencies in the city in 2022 and proposed expenditure to agencies in 2023? (Cllr Kieran McCarthy). 

Motions:   

That a root and branch assessment be made on the pedestrian safety around the new Douglas-Rochestown Educate Together School on the old Carrigaline Road and appropriate safety measures be acted upon (Cllr Kieran McCarthy). 

 That the name John Swiney, one of the core leaders in Cork of the United Irishmen in 1798, be inscribed on the 1798 panel on the National Monument on the Grand Parade (Cllr Kieran McCarthy).  

To get a report on the status of the playground space at the Old Cork Waterworks Experience being returned to Cork City Council from Irish Water (Cllr Kieran McCarthy).  To add Lisnalee Drive, Ballintemple, to the re-surfacing estates list of the south east local electoral area (Cllr Kieran McCarthy). 

New Educate Together School and Safety Challenges, Old Carrigaline Road, 24 January 2023

Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Development

Lots of questions from parents today.

Detailed design of a public walkway by Cork City Council is ongoing at the back of Berkely estate opp Maryborough Woods following the Ballybrack Stream i.e. away from the main road to the back entrance of the school is planned to be opened in September 2023.

The CPO process of land has slowed the process down. Tenders are going out in March 2023. Construction is due during the summer.

No widening works are envisaged for the main road as the priority pedestrian path for the school will be along the stream valley.

I was asked today to ask the local roads engineer to clear the vegetation from the main road’s footpath and erect more slow down signage on the main road.

I have positive feedback on the local engineer today (see below):

“I have visited the school today yesterday and met with the principal there last week.

As with any new school there is naturally initial nerves/concerns.

I will be able to get my crews out to do a clean up on the original foothpaths to the school that may help.

I have spoken to the traffic department, and they are looking into the matter….e.g., signs, road markings, speed limits etc

I do note that there are currently SLOW markings on the road, and a new traffic light junction which is in itself a traffic calming measure.

I would always say in situations like this that speed and driver behaviour is an issue for the Gardai, however we will help in any way we can

That’s my thoughts on the matter, I should have the foothpath cleared very soon”.

Ends

Marina Park, Phase 2 Start, 23 January 2023

Kieran's Council Work, Landscapes, S.E. Ward Local History, Uncategorized, Ward Development

The next and exciting final phase of Cork’s new Marina Park is on course to begin this summer with advance works to take place over the coming weeks, Cork City Council has confirmed.

With the next phase of the 70 acre Marina Park on course to begin this summer, advance works are taking place over the coming weeks.

A long-term ambition of Cork City Council, the completed park will be six times larger than Fitzgerald’s Park and equivalent in size to Dublin Zoo. Phase 1 of the park (14 acres) was officially opened in June 2022.

Just 2.5 kilometres from the city centre, Marina Park is a key economic driver and catalyst for Cork Docklands.  This next and final phase of Marina Park will extend from The Atlantic Pond to Church Avenue and will accommodate picnic areas, adventure play areas, new paths, a preserved marshland zone and the restoration of several architectural heritage sites. It will deliver high-quality public space and landscaping while protecting and enhancing the natural heritage and biodiversity of the area.

To facilitate the development of woodland trails and paths, some trees and scrub must be removed in the coming weeks. Ten trees will be removed to facilitate construction of the approved park design and a further 16 trees will be removed as they are diseased or dead and hence pose a safety concern. Extensive new tree planting (70+ trees) forms part of the next stage of the park, based on expert biodiversity and landscape advice, with a focus on biodiverse native planting.

The Marina Park works will include:

  • The upgrading and creation of accessible, formal and informal paths and trails throughout the park.
  • The restoration and preservation of heritage structures within the park and the creation of a heritage trail to highlight the unique history of the marina 
  • Improvements works to the Atlantic Pond area including the removal of the existing concrete edging and replacement with a selection of hard and soft landscapes, improved seating provision and replacement of the existing concrete bridge. 
  • The provision of a nature playground as well as various play areas throughout the park
  • The ecological management of the meadows, woodlands and marsh areas to promote and increase the biodiversity of the area embracing and enhancing the existing natural assets of the site including the Atlantic Pond, the Marsh, mature woodland, and open meadow areas
  • Provision of sensitive public lighting and feature lighting 
  • Other associated works including park furniture, points of interest, wayfinding etc.

Learn more about The Marina’s history here with Kieran: History Trail, The Marina | Cork Heritage

Call for Kieran’s 2023 Ward Fund is now Open.

Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Development, Ward Events

Cllr Kieran McCarthy is calling on any community groups based in the south east ward of Cork City, which includes areas such as Ballinlough, Ballintemple, Blackrock, Mahon, Douglas, Donnybrook, Maryborough, Rochestown, Mount Oval and Moneygourney with an interest in sharing in his 2023 ward funding to apply for his funds.

A total of E.12,000 is available to community groups through Cllr Kieran McCarthy’s ward funds. In general, contributions to groups range between e.150 to e.250 or slightly more depending on the project.

Application should be made via email to Kieran at kieran_mccarthy@corkcity.ie or via letter (Richmond Villa, Douglas Road) by Friday 3 February 2023.

This email should give the name of the organisation, contact name, contact address, contact email, contact telephone number, details of the organisation, and what will the ward grant will be used for?

  

Please Note:

  • Ward funds will be prioritised to community groups based in the south east ward or the south east local electoral area of Cork City who build community capacity, educate, build civic awareness and projects, which connect the young and old.
  • Cllr McCarthy especially welcomes proposals where the funding will be used to run a community event, digital included, and that benefit the wider community.
  • Cllr McCarthy is seeking to fund projects that give people new skill sets. That could include anything from part funding of coaching training for sports projects to groups interested in bringing forward enterprise programmes to encourage entrepreneurship to the ward.
  • Cllr McCarthy is particularly interested in funding community projects such as community environment projects such as tree planting and projects that that promote the rich history and environment within the south east of Cork City.
  • Cllr McCarthy publishes a list of his ward fund allocations each year on this page.

Reminder: Clover Hill Court housing proposal, Bessboro Road, Mahon, 6 December 2022

Uncategorized, Ward Development

Reminder: Clover Hill Court housing proposal is located at Bessboro Road, Mahon and behind Clover Lawn estate.

The development consists of the construction of a residential development of 90 no. dwellings, comprising of 84 no. apartments, which graduate in height from west to east, and 6 no. houses. The development site area is approximately 1.017 hectares and is in the ownership of Cork City Council.

The proposed development will comprise of:

• Construction of a total of 90 residential units, comprising:

o 2 no. apartment buildings (1 no. 3-4 storey building and 1 no. 4-5 storey building), linked at ground floor, containing 84 no. apartments in total, with 28 no. 1-bed apartments and 56 no. 2-bed apartments, each with private balcony/wintergarden/terrace, as well as ground floor bin & bicycle stores and plant (including 1 no. relocated substation and 1 no. additional substation)

o 6 no. 2-storey 3-bed terraced houses, each with private garden

• Provision of 49 no. car parking spaces and 188 no. bicycle parking spaces (94 no. bicycle parking spaces in apartment buildings, 52 no. bicycle parking spaces in freestanding external shelters and 42 no. bicycle parking spaces in open external racks).

• All associated site development works, services provision, road infrastructure, landscaping/public realm works, to include the removal of the existing floor slab of the former commercial building and the relocation of the existing substation

Full maps and details here: Part 8 Planning Notice – Clover Hill Court (Housing Development) | Cork City Council’s Online Consultation Portal

Submissions and observations may be made to:

· Electronically through https://consult.corkcity.ie/

· In Writing to Alison O’Rourke, Senior Executive Officer, Housing Directorate, Cork City Council, City Hall, Anglesea Street, Cork.

Closing date for submissions and observations is Friday 16 December 2022 at 4pm.