Popular Passage greenway upgrade takes the next step

The preferred route of the second phase for the Passage Railway Greenway has been revealed this week with plans for it to go to public consultation from mid-May.

Cork City Council elected members were briefed about the latest plans for the upgrade to the popular walking and cycling route on the Rochestown Road on Tuesday evening. The greenway is on the former railway line to Crosshaven.

The emerging preferred route (EPR) for the Passage Railway Greenway Phase 2 is an upgrade of the existing route which runs along Rochestown Road, adjacent to Cork Harbour. A number of possible routes had been identified to enhance the section of greenway along the Rochestown Road.

The upgrade will include:

Narrowing of the traffic lanes aimed at reducing traffic speed

The road will also be realigned to create additional space for the greenway

The enhanced greenway will be segregated from traffic through the introduction of a high quality landscaped strip between the greenway and the vehicle lanes

The initial public consultation identified other issues for consideration such as the widening the greenway, signage, protection of the Cork Harbour Special Protection Area, native tree planting, pollinator friendly planting and other factors to be addressed as the design for the project progresses. A number of suggestions to support cycling will also be brought forward including bike repair stands and bike storage facilities.

The project team identified the possible impact on the adjoining special protection area as well as security and privacy concerns as some of the main reasons why alternative routes like the coastal routes behind Island View and St Gerard’s Place were not brought forward.

Work on the first phase of the upgrade of the Passage greenway began in February.