Vote due on Togher plan
Major public realm improvements in Togher could be on the way with councillors set to vote for or against them at the next Cork City Council meeting.
The works were given the green light during a local area committee meeting on Monday and are expected to be approved at the next month’s council meeting.
Local Fianna Fáil Cllr Fergal Dennehy said, if approved, it will “hugely benefit” the community adding that it will create a streetscape and a centre point that’s been needed for some time.
The works will mostly take place along the Togher Road from Spur Hill to the Westside Estate entrance.
This public realm enhancement project was originally proposed by Cork County Council so as to avail of an opportunity to improve the streetscape and environment along Togher Road, in tandem with the planned flood relief project.
The works’ location is within the boundary transition area so the project was transferred to Cork City Council for delivery.
The preliminary design for the public realm enhancement includes the introduction of a 30km/hr speed limit, narrowing the roadway to a desirable width of six metres minimum to create safer road environment for all users, improving pedestrian facilities by widening footpaths while providing safe raised pedestrian crossing points at each junction with Togher Road and at strategic crossing points along Togher Road.
The plans aim to address congestion issues along the route, both through design of the Togher Cross roundabout and addressing the informal on-street parking and setting down regime. It’s been recognised that the existing roundabout layout is currently a barrier to movement in Togher and improvement of this junction is also in the works.
Cllr Dennehy told the Cork Independent: “There is no centre point to Togher as such. It’s a parish that has developed over the years but we’ve never had a village centre. These works will create a village centre feel to it and improve the streetscape.”
It’s not known yet how much the scheme will cost with Cllr Dennehy adding that the works will be put out to tender with the money coming from Cork City Council’s budget.
He said that many people wanted a cycle lane included in the works which he is conscious of and said it could be done later down the line however he said that cyclists will benefit greatly from the introduction of the 30km/hr speed limit.
He also said that adding in a cycle lane would mean acquiring land which would be very expensive.
He is of the opinion that shared footpaths haven’t worked in some areas of the city, and given the close proximity to schools in the area, he believes that the works will make it safer for pedestrians.
“All of these works are stemming from the culvert works which the area has been waiting on for ten years and they will hugely benefit the community living and working in the area,” added Cllr Dennehy.