TRAMORE Valley Park is finally set to open to the public this autumn, according to officials at City Hall.

Ann Doherty, chief executive of Cork City Council, said that the plan was to have the amenity open in ‘August or September.’

She was responding to queries from Independent Councillor Kieran McCarthy who had sought an update on the multi-million euro park, which has been in the pipeline for some time.

The former dump was redeveloped as part of a €40 million project but has remained underused due to staff shortages since.

While the BMX tracks and rugby pitches are used, the park remains closed to the general public for the most part.

A funding package was agreed as part of City Hall’s 2018 budget to finally get the park fully operational following pressure from a number of local councillors.

However, a report from the city’s environmental directorate confirmed plans to have the park operational by ‘early Autumn 2018’ with a programme of works to achieve this is already underway.

This includes ‘additional car parking, realignment of the main access road from the South City Link, the creation of internal roundabout and segregation of the civic amenity activities from park activities’, according to the report.

A management plan to manage, operate and maintain the park is also being prepared.

Mr McCarthy welcomed the report, noting that the park can play a significant role in the context of the expansion of the Cork City bounds.

He said: “While the BMX track and a number of playing pitches in the park are used from time to time, access for the general public is limited due to a number of staff shortages and operational issues.

“It will be great to see the park fully opened ensuring that family, community and park life all remains at the heart of a bigger city centre.

“It will be the equal of the Ballincollig Regional Park in the city.”