Old railway line delays explained

Regular visitors to Marina Walk and the Atlantic Pond will have recently noticed delays to the reopening of the nearby Old Railway Line (Passage) Greenway.

The issue came up during a Cork City Council meeting on Monday when Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy asked for an update on its progress and queried why there have been delays in its completion.

Gerry O’Beirne, Director of Services, Infrastructure Development, told Cllr McCarthy that the contractor is currently working within the old Blackrock station and that during the course of the these works, it was necessary to undertake additional conservation and repair work to boundary walls, platforms and adjoining structures.

Mr O’Beirne added: “The full extent of this work only became apparent when the overgrowth was fully removed. Completion works for the new access ramp between the Greenway and the Marina and through Holland Park is scheduled to commence in late 2022 as per the original programme.

“The work on this ramp is staggered to allow for the settlement of the earthwork’s embankment. The last remaining section of the Passage Greenway Project Phase 1 is scheduled to be fully open to the public in mid-July.”

The contractor is, Mr O’Beirne said, likely to have some remaining off line works to complete beyond this date such as the completion of snags however this work will not affect users of the greenway.