Morrison’s Island project to start soon
Construction on the controversial and long awaited Morrison’s Island Public Realm and Flood Defence project will begin soon, Cork City Council announced this morning describing it as a “transformational scheme”.
The project, supported by the Office of Public Works (OPW), will include the area along Morrison’s Quay and Father Mathew Quay between Parnell Bridge and Parliament Bridge, as well as a small section on Union Quay at Trinity Bridge.
The project was originally approved by councillors in 2018 however some members of the public disliked and objected to what was planned.
In August 2020, a group called Save Cork City Community Association Ltd applied for leave to take a judicial review of the decision, which was allowed and took place in July 2021 with the High Court upholding the decision to approve the works.
Less than a year later, in May 2022, a further legal challenge was made by Save Cork City to the Supreme Court. However, a five-judge Supreme Court dismissed the appeal at the end of 2023.
This morning, Cork City Council said this project will deliver:
• High quality upgraded and accessible streetscape with new footpaths, public seating, new plaza space and river viewing platform at Parnell Bridge, and public space at Trinity Bridge, as well as improved public realm at Holy Trinity Church
• Integrated flood defences which will provide protection against 1-in-100 year tidal flooding events for approximately 400 city centre properties
• A new 3 metre wide riverside promenade along the length of Morrison’s Quay and Father Mathew Quay
• Rerouted traffic movement and reduced parking, to facilitate significant improvements for pedestrians, wheelchair users, and cyclists, including the provision of cycle parking
• Refurbished and strengthened quay walls to ensure long term integrity
• Public realm improvements at the entrances to Trinity Bridge (at Cork College of Further Education & Training), including new public seating
• Refurbished and enhanced heritage features, including street lamps and bollards
• Enhanced views and access to the River Lee
• Enhanced planting including trees and pollinator-friendly herbaceous plants
Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Kieran McCarthy said: “The Morrison’s Island Scheme is the city’s opportunity to bring about comprehensive regeneration of this historic part of the city and to re-orientate it towards the river, transforming it into a top class public space, and highlighting features of architectural and heritage interest.”
Ann Doherty, Chief Executive of Cork City Council said: “This scheme will transform the Morrison’s Island area of the city and provide much needed flood protection to hundreds of residents and businesses.
“This south-facing riverside area has so much more to offer and Cork City Council, with the support of the OPW, is unlocking that potential, providing for the revitalisation and regeneration of this part of the city centre”.
The first phase of the scheme’s construction will take place at the junction of Morrison’s Quay and South Mall, delivering an enhanced plaza area and riverside viewing platform. To facilitate these works, some local traffic diversions will be in place. Local access and pedestrian and cycling access will remain.
The scheme is expected to be completed within approximately 20 months.
Minister Kieran O’Donnell TD, Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform with responsibility for the OPW said: “Projects such as Morrison’s Island show the OPW’s and the Government’s commitment to enable our local authorities to undertake very important local flood relief works that are integrated with other developments for the community and so provide a wider social and economic benefit to the community they are protecting. The Morrison’s Island project forms part of an overall allocation of almost €1.3 billion in the National Development Plan for flood relief measures.”
Aaron Mansworth, President of the Cork Business Association (CBA) said the scheme will provide “essential flood protection long campaigned for by the CBA, reassuring property owners and businesses by safeguarding their premises and livelihoods”.
Conor Healy, Chief Executive of Cork Chamber said: “Climate adaption is crucial to the further prosperity of Cork. We have seen as recently as last October the devastation flooding can bring to our region, inhabitants and businesses. The commencement of the Morrison’s Island Public Realm and Flood Protection Scheme is wholeheartedly welcomed by Cork Chamber after many years advocacy. Our city centre businesses and residents deserve the protection from flooding that the scheme will provide.”