New dawn for Docklands
A €6.5 million facelift for the Docklands got the green light this week despite contention from the Green Party and Save Cork City.
The Cork Docklands to City Centre Road Network Improvement Scheme was given the go ahead at a meeting of Cork City Council which includes massive changes to road layouts as well as improvements to the public realm of the area.
Some of the areas in questions include Albert Quay, Victoria Road, Old Blackrock Road, Marina Terrace and Kennedy Quay.
Prior to a vote about the scheme, which passed by 24 in favour and five against, the Green Party argued that while the majority of the scheme was fine, one element regarding flood defence needed to be taken out of the scheme and looked at as standalone project.
Save Cork City, who are opposed to the flood relief works at Morrison’s Island based on plans to raise the quay walls, felt raising the quay wall along Albert Quay was not highlighted or advertised as much as it should. The Green Party felt the same.
During the meeting, Green Party Cllr Dan Boyle urged councillors to amend what they were being asked to vote on.
“Overall it’s a good scheme, it’s just this one element that’s flawed.”
He asked that councillors vote on “nine-tenths” of the project and deal with the remaining tenth – raising the quay walls at Albert Quay – separately.
Solidarity Cllr Fiona Ryan said she had the same issues expressed by the Green Party.
However, the majority of councillors liked the project including Fine Gael’s Des Cahill who described the design of it as “super” adding that it was a fantastic development.
227 submissions were received about the project during the public consultation and 16 changes were made by City Hall based on some of these.
Some of the works
They include:
Introduction of a city centre bound contra-flow bus lane on Victoria Road (north) and Albert Quay.
Introduction of a two-way cycle track on Albert Quay and on Victoria Road (north).
Replacement of Victoria Road/Centre Park Road Roundabout with a traffic signal controlled junction.
Improvement and reconfiguration of Monahan Rd/Victoria Road Junction.
Re-alignment of the Old Blackrock Road/Victoria Road Junction.
Public realm improvements to Albert Quay East, Victoria Road, Albert Road and Marina Terrace.
Kennedy Quay access from Albert Quay will be restricted.
The primary access to Kennedy Quay will be from Marina Walk.