New cycle lanes for Cork's northside; 'Projects will be important for connecting communities'

A NUMBER of new cycle routes on the northside of the city will progress this year.

Works joining the recently-installed cycle lane on Lower Glanmire Road and the cycle lane at Penrose Quay will be completed as a priority.

The new cycle lane will follow Water St and Horgan’s Quay and pass in front of the new office and housing developments at Kent Station.

Works carried out before Christmas on Lower Glanmire Road were criticised because they came to a sudden stop — the cycle lane ended at a footpath with no other way for a cyclist to continue.

Answering a question from Green Party councillor Oliver Moran, council officials said early planning work is underway for a cycle lane connecting Lower Glanmire Road to Dunkettle.

This could go alongside the waterfront at Tivoli docks, completely segregated from traffic.

Meanwhile, works are also expected to begin on the Glanmire Greenway in 2020, while an upgrade to the Ballyhooley Road at Ballyvolane, with bus and cycle lanes, is expected in 2021.

Separately, Cork County Council is progressing plans to connect Dunkettle to Little Island and Glounthaune by cycle lanes.

Mr Moran said: “The recent cycle map of Cork showed how poorly served the northside of the city is for cycle infrastructure. These interconnected projects will be important to connecting communities and business to the city centre.

“It means we are en route to realising a medium-term vision of cycleways connecting Glanmire and Little Island to the city, as well as bringing Ballyvolane closer by bicycle,” he said.

“The Glanmire-Little Island link is particularly important. It would mean connecting one of the newly-brought in areas of the city and one of the largest commercial zones in the county directly to the city by cycle infrastructure.

“For commuters and everyone living in Glanmire, and the thousands working in Little Island, that would mean a vital alternative to taking the car. The flat landscape along the route means it’s a natural option,” Mr Moran added.