“A shocking act of environmental vandalism” is how Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy has described the proposal by the National Transport Authority to place a 20 metre wide bridge to facilitate bus and cars over Ballybrack Woods from Donnybrook Hill to Maryborough Woods as part of the Grange to Douglas Bus Corridor.
To view the plans, log onto busconnects.ie
Cllr McCarthy noted: “This is a shocking act of environmental vandalism. Yes there is a need to improve the nature of public transport in the city and in the south east of the city but not at the expense of demolishing half a woodland to do it”. “One just can’t have one climate action agenda dominating over a dozen other climate action priorities. They are all important. In this case, it is literally being proposed, amongst other concepts to eliminate the last green lungs of Douglas, to seriously interfere with a biodiversity corridor, and to remove a significant site of enormous health and well-being added value from its surrounding communities”.
“What is also shocking and very disappointing coming from the NTA is the downplaying of a such a removal of urban forestry. Their proposal is hidden away in its series of online bus corridors map proposals, which require the citizen to have a detailed knowledge of map reading and ready access to their own measuring tape”. “The consultation and info sessions are taking place during July when people are away on holidays and people are just beginning to feel freedom post a very tough two years of COIVD”.
“The communication to local communities of the detail of proposals has been shocking and instead of leading to support from communities or encouraging support for change have led directly and certainly led to fear, anger, grief, panic and sadness amongst my constituents. Supposed partnership has turned into a battleship”. “At this moment in time I have no confidence at all in the NTA to deliver the Cork Bus Connects programme that will enhance the city’ public transport in a sustainable and inclusive way”, concluded Cllr Kieran McCarthy.
