City Hall begins consultation on new Cork Docklands road network

A PUBLIC consultation has begun on a €6.5m plan to transform the Docklands road network in anticipation of future development of offices and homes.

The existing road network in the area is regularly congested at peak times and the Cork Docklands to City Centre Road Network Scheme will seek to improve flows between the city centre, Docklands and the N27 through a raft of measures which will include works on Victoria Road, Albert Road, Centre Park Road, Monahan Road, and as far as City Hall.

It includes infrastructure plans to facilitate residential and commercial developments, a transport network to improve connectivity between the Docklands and the city centre, and transformation of the public realm.

The plans centre around a northbound contraflow bus lane on Victoria Road, a 700m two-way cycle track on Albert Quay and Victoria Road to connect with Centre Park Road and Monahan Road, and improvements to several junctions. 

A new residential access link between Electric Terrace and Rosefield Terrace will be introduced, and Kennedy Quay access from Albert Quay will be restricted, with a new access point at Marina Walk.

Footpaths will be widened and five pedestrian crossings will be improved. Bus stops will be upgraded and public lighting will be renewed.

A new boardwalk and floating pontoon for boats and leisure craft are to be built on Albert Quay, and new bus lanes are also included. A new bridge is also included in proposals to cross the River Lee between Albert Quay and Victoria Road.

Land acquisitions from adjoining properties owners will be sought, but compulsory purchase orders will be pursued in instances where agreements can’t be reached.

The construction phase of the project is expected to take approximately 15 months to complete and is viewed as the first stage of a complete regeneration of the Docklands as it moves away from industrial use to the expansion of the city centre.

A number of construction projects are planned for the area, with a double tower apartment block for Victoria Road granted planning permission in January, close to Navigation Square.

Plans are also being developed for a skyscraper development at the former Harbour Commissioners site which includes residential and commercial elements, and a hotel.

City Hall chief executive Ann Doherty said the plan will improve access between South Docklands and the city centre in terms of convenience, safety, and capacity across all modes, but with particular emphasis on sustainable modes of transportation including walking, cycling and public transport.

Ms Doherty added it will provide a public realm in keeping with the “ambitious redevelopment plans” for the area which is respectful of the existing community within Docklands.

“The public realm design will seek to achieve the correct balance between hard and soft landscaping, uniqueness and sustainability, while also embracing the riverside amenity potential of the area.”

The Docklands area is primed for growth as Cork’s population grows with an estimated 320,000 to 360,000 people living in the metropolitan area by 2040, and an immediate influx of people under the city boundary expands next Friday.

The street improvements have been approved for funding under the Project Ireland 2040 fund announced last year by the Government which aims to see Cork as Ireland’s fastest growing city for the next two decades.

Submissions can be made until July 23 by visiting City Hall or www.consult.corkcity.ie.