Plans for Tramore Valley Park pedestrian and cycle entrance to go on public display

THE plans to facilitate the opening of the Half Moon Lane entrance to Tramore Valley Park are set to go on public display in the second week in August.

The new layout when completed will see changes to the junction with the South Douglas Road, changes on the lane itself, and will enable the entrance to the park to be opened to pedestrians and cyclists.

The public will be asked for their submissions on the proposals once they go on display.

Councillor Mick Finn told The Echo that the junction with the main road is to be altered totally in the plans.

“It’s totally unsafe. That’s the reason why people have been frustrated for the last couple of months because the gate can’t be opened.

“It’s not necessarily the gate itself but the access into that lane is the issue,” he said.

New traffic lights, and a relocation of public lights are also included in the plans, while the laneway itself has to be reconfigured also.

However, it’s understood that there is no dedicated cycle lane included on Half Moon Lane.

“I can see issues maybe with the fact that there isn’t a dedicated cycle lane but it’s quite a narrow lane and they have to reconfigure the footpath and the road. There’s a series of chicanes where cars can pull in to leave oncoming cars pass. It’s quite narrow, the road,” Councillor Finn said.

There have been repeated calls for the Half Moon Lane entrance to Tramore Valley Park to be opened to the public, especially in recent months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

There had been calls for a temporary opening, while hundreds of people signed a petition calling on City Hall to open the gate in May.

It’s expected the plans for Half Moon Lane and the junction with the South Douglas road will cost upwards of €200,000.