Marina plans 'long time coming'

Pedestrianisation of the popular Marina walkway is expected to be permanently given the green light after mostly positive feedback from the public.

The city walkway had been blocked off to vehicles on a temporary basis and recently went out for public consultation with 250 submissions received about the prospect of making it permanent. Most of the submissions welcomed it while a handful had concerns about the impact on traffic on nearby roads. There were also concerns about illegal parking in the area and lack of lighting along the Marina too which council officials have addressed. Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy said the area councillors met on Tuesday evening to review the submissions. He said he would be voting for it given the optimistic feedback received.

The local historian added: “It’s probably nearly 100 years since there was any kind of investment in the Marina, looking at the history of the area, and it certainly seemed to disappear as a destination in the city 50 years ago so putting the spotlight back on the Marina has been a long time coming.”

He also said that having a public consultation was very important so the project to make it permanent couldn’t be undermined later by the public.

“I was getting a lot of phone calls about it too about what should be done with the area,” he added.

Cllr McCarthy also said that many of the submissions indicated that people wanted it to be more than just a cycle and walkway adding that they wanted to see nature and history walks taking place while others wanted to see cycle and walkways being extended out to Tramore Valley Park, for example.

Given the works ongoing near the Atlantic Pond and now this urge for pedestrianisation, he said there was “something special” happening along the Marina.

The vote is due to take place on 14 December during a full meeting of Cork City Council.