Plans for Togher Road enhancement go on public display

Extensive plans have gone on public display in City Hall for the Togher Public Realm Enhancement Project.

The proposed scheme, which was delayed slightly following the redrawing of the council boundary lines, is aiming to create a high-quality public realm streetscape at Togher Road.

The goal of the project on Togher Road is to create an attractive, welcoming and accessible public space that will also be easily maintained and kept clean.

A landscape strategy will be created and implemented along the route through hard and soft landscaping. That will include concrete block paved crossings, circular tree grates, and a concrete footpath, as well as soft landscaping such as mixed vegetation and a sculpture, planting strips and landmark trees along the route.

Pedestrians and vulnerable road users take priority in the plans, as vehicular speeds are to be reduced, while an active pedestrian environment is also being promoted through widening footpaths to a minimum of two metres.

The plan will also see safe raised crossing points at junctions, as well as at other strategic points along Togher Road, while also narrowing the roadway.

Congestion, particularly at peak times, will be addressed by the proposals while also taking into account the objectives outlined for the route within the Cork Cycle Network Plan to ensure a more attractive and safe place for vulnerable road users.

The informal on-street parking arrangements and set-down regime are also set to be addressed with a view to alleviating congestion as it’s been noted these issues are contributing to some peak-time delays.

A redesign of the Togher Cross roundabout will also be part of the project. Three different options were considered for the roundabout with a continental style roundabout winning out the design phase.

In this proposed option the junction layout is kept as a roundabout but an over-run area will be required in the central island to accommodate heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).

The original plans for the project went on display in March 2019, but that was with Cork County Council and the boundaries have since been redrawn.

The County Council had not concluded the Public Realm planning process prior to the boundary transfer date. The preliminary design was then forwarded to Cork City Council to progress when funding became available.

The plans have now gone on public display at The Atrium, Cork City Hall, and can be viewed between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday. The proposal can also be viewed anytime online, and will remain on view until Friday December 20.

People can also now make submissions and observations on the project online or in writing.

The closing date for Submissions or observations is Friday January 10 2020 at 4pm.