Cork council unveils new plan to improve access between city centre and south docklands
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Plans have been unveiled for a multi-million public realm upgrade to improve access to and from Cork’s south docklands — one of Ireland’s largest urban regeneration sites.
The scheme, which could cost between €10m to €15m to deliver, includes new public transport, walking and biking links, new landscaping and quayside parklets, and major improvements to the streetscape of the inner-city neighbourhoods adjoining the south docks, where hundreds of millions in development is under way on sites including the former R&H Hall site and the former Ford’s distribution site.
The scheme also includes new layouts on the roads leading to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, the Live at the Marquee concert site, to Marina Market, to the 70-acre Marina Park, where work on phase two is ongoing, and to the upgraded Marina Promenade.
Cork City Council has advertised the scheme for public consultation under the Part 8 planning process, with an extended period of consultation built-in to allow for the Christmas period.
It said the main aim of the project was to improve access between south docklands and the city centre across all modes but with emphasis on sustainable transport — walking, cycling and buses.
It wants to provide a high-quality public realm aligned with the ambitious redevelopment plans for the area, while being respectful of the existing community, the council said.
“The public realm will seek to achieve the correct balance between hard and soft landscaping, uniqueness and sustainability while also embracing the riverside amenity potential of the area,” it said.
A raft of modifications are proposed, including the introduction of a city centre-bound contra-flow bus lane on Victoria Road north, and on to Albert Quay; the introduction of an outbound bus lane on Albert Quay east and Victoria Road, north; and the introduction of a two-way cycle track on Albert Quay and Victoria Road, north.
The project includes the replacement of the roundabout at the junction of Victoria Road and Centre Park Road, with a signal-controlled junction that will prioritise buses and bikes.
The junction of Monahan Road and Victoria Road will be reconfigured and improved, the junction of the Old Blackrock Road and Victoria Road will be enhanced, and a raft of public realm improvements are proposed along Albert Quay East, Victoria Road, Albert Road, and Marina Terrace, with new wider footpaths, new planting, and the under-grounding of wires and cables.
Kennedy Quay access from Albert Quay will be restricted, with the primary access from Marina Walk, a new residential access link will be created between Electric Terrace and Rosefield Terrace, footpaths will be widened and repaved in the Jew town area, crossing facilities will be installed at all junctions, all bus stops will be upgraded, public lighting will be renewed, utility services will be renewed, and spare capacity provided.
Land acquisition will be required to facilitate some of the works.
The plans can be viewed here with public consultation open until March.
A report on the issues raised will be prepared for councillors for consideration, and pending approval, it is expected the scheme will be delivered in phases as funding becomes available.