Category Archives: Ward Development

Ward Works – The Mangala Extension Update, 8 November 2021:

Improve Your Life, Kieran's Council Work, Landscapes, Uncategorized, Ward Development

An allocation of €800,000 from the National Transport earlier this year has allowed much progress on the next phase of the Ballybrack cycle scheme (phase 4).

This next phase involves the construction of circa 2.1km, 4m wide pedestrian and cycle path connecting the recently completed Ballybrack Pedestrian and Cycle Track Phases 2 & 3 with Maryborough Hill and proposed new residential developments along the route, especially in Castletreasure.

The project is slightly behind because of Covid and stoppage works in construction.

But the allocation has enabled Cork City Council to progress with a design team and it is currently preparing the detailed designs for the project.

Ground investigation work is also currently proceeding at present.

Cork City Council is hoping to be in a position to tender for the scheme in 2022.I will keep my pressure on what is a very exciting addition.

McCarthy: Public Consultation Crucial for Cork Draft Bus Network Redesign, 6 November 2021

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

Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy has welcomed the recent launch of the second round of public consultation for the Cork Draft Bus Network Redesign, but has asked the National Transport Authority to liase with the general public as much as possible, especially those who are currently regular bus journey users. The Network Design forms a core part of the overall BusConnects Cork Programme.  This round of public consultation will be on the BusConnects Cork Draft New Bus Network. 

In July 2021, the NTA held an initial public consultation on BusConnects Cork. The survey style consultation gave the people of Cork the opportunity to help shape a new bus network by providing views on a how a new network would best service everyone. There were almost 1,200 responses to the survey and many more engagements. These responses informed the design of a Draft New Bus Network for the Cork Metropolitan Area, which will now be published for review and feedback.

Cllr McCarthy noted: “The current use of public transport is only 5% of the overall modal movement within the city, which is very low compared to other cities of Cork’s size in western Europe. Bus Connects is very ambitious to raise the use of public transport. There are challenges – especially at certain times of the day there when it comes to dealing with traffic congestion, and hence at certain times of days, buses are late across many routes”.

Cllr McCarthy continued; “The ambition is great but it is also very important to reach out to existing bus consumers. I have already had bus users from Ballinlough to Douglas coming forward to me with concerns and suggestions. I would also ask regular bus users to have a close look at the Cork Draft New Bus Network. Informationcan now be found on the website www.busconnects.ie/busconnects-cork. I will be making my own submissions. If people wish me to raise their concerns as well, send me an email on kieran_mccarthy@corkcity.ie”

The consultation period for the BusConnects will run from Tuesday 2 November to Friday 10 December 2021. The consultation portal is available on the website and submissions can be made there. Seven Local Area Booklets are available on the website and will also be delivered to over 160,000 premises in the coming weeks. Virtual public meetings will take place via Zoom on Wednesday 17 November (@6.30pm), Wednesday 24 November (@1.30pm) and Tuesday 30 November (@6.30pm). Additional virtual events may be scheduled subject to interest. Further details as well as registration links can be found on the website. 

Cork Draft Bus Network Redesign, 2 November 2021

Improve Your Life, Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Development

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has today launched a second round of public consultation for the Cork Bus Network Redesign, which forms a key part of the overall BusConnects Cork Programme.  This round of public consultation will be on the BusConnects Cork Draft New Bus Network. 

In July 2021, the NTA held an initial public consultation on BusConnects Cork. The survey style consultation gave the people of Cork the opportunity to help shape a new bus network by providing views on a how a new network would best service everyone. There was almost 1200 responses to the survey and many more engagements.

These responses informed the design of a Draft New Bus Network for the Cork Metropolitan Area, which will now be published for review and feedback. Under the proposals contained in the new Draft Network Report, the level of bus services in Cork will increase by 36% with shorter waits and more direct routes for commuters within the city. 34% more people will live close to a frequent service.

The consultation period for the BusConnects Cork Draft New Bus Network will run from Tuesday 2 November to Friday 10 December 2021. This consultation will take place online, allowing the public to provide their views on the amended bus network proposals. 

Information on the following can now be found on the website www.busconnects.ie/busconnects-cork:

·        Draft New Bus Network Report – Available in English, Irish and accessible PDF.

·        7 Local Area Booklets –Available on the website and will be delivered to over 160,000 premises in the coming weeks.

·        Public Information Campaign – This will be ran for six weeks across all local media outlets.

·        Interactive Online Map – Learn how people can use the proposed services and routes.

·        Online Information Events – Virtual public meetings will take place via Zoom on Wednesday 17th November (@6.30pm), Wednesday 24th November (@1.30pm) and Tuesday 30th November (@6.30pm). Additional virtual events may be scheduled subject to interest. Further details as well as registration links can be found on our website.

·        Online Feedback Form – The consultation portal is available on our website and submissions can be made there.

Cllr McCarthy: Warm Welcome for Advancement of Bus Connects Project, 23 October 2021

Improve Your Life, Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Development

Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy has welcomed the most recent update on the Bus Connects project by Cork City Council’s Roads and Transportation Directorate. The improvement and expansion of Cork bus services has been a long- standing objective for the City. The availability of frequent, reliable and cost effective bus based transport is a critical enabler for the planned growth in Cork over the period to 2040. Bus Connects is a key component of the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy and it is supported by the National Development Plan.

Cllr McCarthy noted: “The National Transport Authority (NTA) is now progressing the necessary measures for planning and delivering Bus Connects in Cork. Additional staff have also been recruited by the City Council with National Transport Authority assistance to support the development and roll out of the programme. A number of separate design teams have been appointed to develop concept designs for the core bus corridors. These corridor improvements will be necessary for the efficient running of an expanded bus service and will include provision for bus priority as well as cycle and pedestrian facilities”.

 Cllr McCarthy continued: “The issues to be addressed in the network review were presented for public consultation in July 2021 and submissions received have been fed into the design process. It is expected that the emerging draft network proposals will be subject to further consultation in November 2021 and that the revised network layout will be published in quarter one of 2022”.

Kieran’s Press, Former Lakelands Bar Redevelopment, 8 October 2021

Improve Your Life, Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Development

7 October 2021, “Cllr McCarthy explained that Cork City Council Council is also continuing to work with the multitude of landowners on the renewal part of Avenue De Rennes. “What has been revealed is a complex network of over a dozen owners of property in a small area,” he said, He said a substantial packet of investment, probably from central government may be needed to help renew the area, “Welcome for news that vacant building in Mahon will be demolished and redeveloped”, Welcome for news that vacant building in Mahon will be demolished and redeveloped (echolive.ie)

Cllr Kieran McCarthy, quote on Lakelands mixed use development, Mahon, 5 October 2021

Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Development

“The permission for the mixed use development scheme is very welcome. For many years, the look of the former Lakelands bar building on the outside has been terrible. The large craters in the private car park have been in dire need of resurfacing. Part of the planning conditions now stipulate that re-surfacing of that section of the car park has to be done. A new pedestrian crossing will also appear adjacent the site on Avenue De Rennes.”

“Cork City Council Council is also continuing to work with the multitude of landowners on this part of Avenue De Rennes. What has been revealed is a complex network of over a dozen owners of property in a small area. Such a network complicates the short term renewal of this part of Avenue de Rennes. What has become very apparent is the area needs a substantial packet of investment, probably from central government, so that the legal complexities can be began to unpicked, legal titles with liquidated owners gathered, and then new plans drawn up. Hopefully any success of the Lakelands investment will attract more investors for the benefit of the wider area of the avenue ”.

Full planning report here:
ePlan – Online Planning Details (corkcity.ie)

Press Coverage: 1 October 2021, ” Earlier this year, when plans for the redevelopment of the site emerged, Independent Councillor Kieran McCarthy said it was “really positive” for Mahon and had been “a long time coming”, Former Cork bar to be demolished and redeveloped,
Former Cork bar to be demolished and redeveloped (echolive.ie)

Cllr McCarthy: Marina Park Section Opening Delayed Until November, 14 September 2021

Cork City Events, Cork History, Improve Your Life, Kieran's Council Work, Landscapes, S.E. Ward Local History, Uncategorized, Ward Development, Ward Events

In a recent reply to a question posed by Cllr Kieran McCarthy at the recent City Council meeting, Cork City Council have noted a revised completion date of the Marina Park section next to Páirc Ui Chaoimh. Due to Covid 19, delays in construction works and poor weather has pushed the opening date from this month to mid to late November this year.

Cllr McCarthy noted: “The park looks more or less ready to open. It looks well and will add immensely to The Marina district. It’s been a long two years with construction work stopping and starting due to Covid 19. Phase one works has comprised the construction of a new public car park at the Shandon Boat Club end of the Marina, as well as a new cycle lane and pedestrian walkway – these are all now completed and are very well used. The public can now see the grass on sunken lawn areas in the park section and the diversion of a watercourse, as well as new pathways – all of which are in place.

“One can also see that the installation of perhaps the most eye-catching part of the project – a noticeable red steel pavilion on the site of, and replicating, the central hall of the former Munster Agricultural Showgrounds. The sides of the pavilion will not be enclosed, and there will be possibilities for coffee pods and outdoor seating and arts and crafts. The project is a e.10m investment into the area, of which nearly e.5m came from EU Urban Sustainable Funds, which are part of the EU’s structural funds and are a crucial source of funding for cities”, concluded Cllr McCarthy.

Kieran’s Press, Beaumont Drive Traffic Management Plan Crucial During Works, 4 September 2021

Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Development

Press: 2 September 2021, Traffic management plan ‘crucial’ during works in Cork suburb (echolive.ie)

Cllr Kieran McCarthy has asked Irish Water that a strongtraffic management plan be kept in place for the duration of the replacement works of problematic water mains on Beaumont Drive.

The works involve the replacement of approximately 1km of problematic water mains with new modern pipes. The programme to replace the water mains on Beaumont Drive will commence on week commencing 30 August 2021. These works are being carried out as part of Irish Water’s National Leakage Reduction Programme.

The works will also involve laying new water service connections from the public water main in the road to customers’ property boundaries and connecting it to the customers’ water supply. Where the existing service connections on the public side are lead these will be replaced as part of this improvement work.

The works will be carried out on behalf of Irish Water by Ward and Burke Limited and are expected to be completed before end of October 2021.

 Cllr McCarthy noted: “Local and emergency access needs to be maintained at all times. Beaumont Drive is a very busy avenue, especially when local school traffic hits in the morning and afternoon. Working with local residents is crucial to make sure a flow of traffic”.

Steven Blennerhassett from Irish Water, explained: “To facilitate the safe delivery of the upgrades, a stop-go traffic management system may be in place and will be limited to short sections to minimise impact on customers.  During this project there may be some short-term water outages and the project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours’ notice prior to any planned water outages. Residents and businesses will be notified directly and can phone Irish Water on 1800 278 278 if they have any questions about the project”.

Cllr McCarthy: Launch of Douglas Main Street Parklet Warmly Welcomed, 3 September 2021

Arts, Enterprise, Improve Your Life, Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Development, Ward Events

Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy has warmly welcomed the official launch of the Douglas Main Street parklet in the past week, as well as its other seven companions across the city. In May of this year, Cork City Council announced that it was looking to provide new parklets in the greater metropolitan area.

The parklets, designed by Siobhán Keogh Design and built by Benchspace Cork, are planted and maintained by the “parklet partners”, with funding for their upkeep administered by the City Council. The Douglas Main Street Partners are Okura Japanese Cuisine and Douglas Tidy Towns.

Cllr McCarthy noted: “The parklets have converted several on-street parking spaces into public open space and are a cost-effective way to create more vibrant streets, promote economic vitality, and provide an inviting green space for residents and passers-by to sit, relax, and interact. Providing greening on the urban street and encouraging biodiversity are two key elements of the parklets project. And certainly are very important to main streets like those in Douglas which is completed dominated by car traffic”.

 “The intention is for planting is to be maintained in the parklets at all times, and the majority (if not all) of this planting should be “pollinator friendly”, concluded Cllr McCarthy.

Lord Mayor, Cllr Colm Kelleher emphasised at the launch of the eight parklet launches: “The feedback to date is that there is a huge welcome for the parklets with every indication that they are being used on a daily basis by pedestrians. The success of the parklets is not possible without the dynamism and commitment of the partners”. 

McCarthy: Beaumont Drive Traffic Management Plan Crucial During Works, 31 August 2021

Kieran's Council Work, Uncategorized, Ward Development

Cllr Kieran McCarthy has asked Irish Water that a strong traffic management plan be kept in place for the duration of the replacement works of problematic water mains on Beaumont Drive.

The works involve the replacement of approximately 1km of problematic water mains with new modern pipes. The programme to replace the water mains on Beaumont Drive will commence on week commencing 30 August 2021. These works are being carried out as part of Irish Water’s National Leakage Reduction Programme.

The works will also involve laying new water service connections from the public water main in the road to customers’ property boundaries and connecting it to the customers’ water supply. Where the existing service connections on the public side are lead these will be replaced as part of this improvement work.

The works will be carried out on behalf of Irish Water by Ward and Burke Limited and are expected to be completed before end of October 2021.

 Cllr McCarthy noted: “Local and emergency access needs to be maintained at all times. Beaumont Drive is a very busy avenue, especially when local school traffic hits in the morning and afternoon. Working with local residents is crucial to make sure a flow of traffic”.

Steven Blennerhassett from Irish Water, explained: “To facilitate the safe delivery of the upgrades, a stop-go traffic management system may be in place and will be limited to short sections to minimise impact on customers.  During this project there may be some short-term water outages and the project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours’ notice prior to any planned water outages. Residents and businesses will be notified directly and can phone Irish Water on 1800 278 278 if they have any questions about the project”.