New video and pictures show council's plans for Monkstown
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Plans have been unveiled for a greenway and major public realm upgrade which could breathe new life into a famous Cork Harbour sailing village.
The Monkstown scheme proposed by Cork County Council will, if approved, deliver a new shared walking and cycling pathway along the water’s edge and new outdoor dining areas overlooking the harbour.
Crucially, it will also provide a vital link between two sections of the proposed 5.6km greenway between Glenbrook and Raffeen Bridge which already have planning, and add another piece of the jigsaw to help realise the ambitious Lee to Sea greenway vision — a 45km cycling superhighway that follows the River Lee in Cork from Inniscarra Dam, through the city, along the western flanks of Cork Harbour to end at the sea near Crosshaven.
Planning has been in place since 2016 for sections of greenway either side of Monkstown — the 3.1km section A from the Glenbrook cross-river ferry to the start of Monktown’s cut and cover tunnel, and for section C, on the southern side of the village, which will include a 200m boardwalk due west of the disused boat yard, with the path then being built on the railway embankment to Raffeen Bridge and beyond.
Cork County Council says it’s working on the detailed design for sections A and C.
Now, it has published details of the central element, section B, the Monkstown active travel link and public realm project, and invited submissions from the public.
It includes proposals for a 400m dedicated and shared pedestrian and cycle pathway from the cut and cover tunnel, running parallel but separated from the R610 up to Sand Quay, running alongside the car park, the sailing club and the access to slipways of Monkstown Marina.
The proposed route has been designed to maintain access to these facilities and to enhance on street parking at key locations, including improved set down area in front of the sailing club at Sand Quay.
The scheme includes significant public realm upgrades with new street furniture, improved public lighting, on street spill-out areas for local bars and restaurants, cycle parking, street trees, pollinator planting, formalised parking in certain areas, new controlled pedestrian crossings and upgraded bus stops.
“The overarching purpose of the scheme is to provide a high-quality pedestrian and cycling amenity for the local communities which can also facilitate improved walking and cycling access to schools, local business and employment thus increasing sustainable travel,” the council says.
The development of the scheme will also present an opportunity to connect to the broader walking and cycling infrastructure in the area to the south of Cork City.
Some land acquisition will be required in areas, including at the start of the scheme where around 17sqm of land will be required from three houses to facilitate formalised parking. Separate reports will be required for the land acquisition.
The council says further agreements will be required with private landowners impacted in other areas to permit the provision of the route and to ensure continued access to the lands.
“Where land or property has been identified as necessary to facilitate the scheme, Cork County Council have contacted and will continue to liaise with the relevant impacted landowners directly,” it said.
The deadline for submissions on the scheme is December 8. A report with feedback on the submissions to inform a council decision on the Part 8 planning proposal will be prepared early in the new year.