Climate survey finds Cork public want more parks and pedestrian streets
While just under 70% of residents travel by car weekly, the number of people traveling by bike is rising with 12% of residents cycling weekly. Picture Denis Minihane.
A new survey shows that while almost two-thirds of people living in Cork city strongly agree that Cork must transform into a more sustainable place to live and work, almost 70% of citizens still travel to work or study by car.
Other key findings of the survey of Cork residents, carried out on behalf of Cork City Council’s climate action unit, show that 80% of those polled believed climate change is already impacting on the city; 92% want to see more parks and green spaces in the city; and 86% want more pedestrianised streets.
While just under 70% of residents travel by car weekly, the number of people traveling by bike is rising with 12% of residents cycling weekly.
Up to 38% of residents are weekly users of public transport. A further 40% use public transport less often. The key barriers to more frequent usage are perceived poor reliability, poor frequency, and lack of service.
Up to 26% of people who live in Cork cycle, but fears around safety, lack of segregated cycle lanes and steep, hilly terrain are the main reasons that people don’t cycle more frequently.
Half of cyclists say that the fear of travelling alongside vehicles means they cycle less often in the Cork City area.
The research, carried out by Behaviour and Attitudes, will inform the draft Cork City Climate Action Plan, which will go out to public consultation in the coming weeks.
It will also support Cork’s designation by the European Commission as one of 100 European cities leading the transition to climate neutrality.
The representative sample, which was gathered during 500 face-to-face interviews in people’s homes in April and May 2023, found that people in Cork have a good understanding of the most effective actions they can take to reduce their carbon emissions.
Nearly one-third of homeowners are planning a home retrofit or energy-system upgrade in the next 12 months.
Some 60% of Cork people recognise that traffic congestion will decrease if there is continued investment in a more regular and reliable bus service, with 63% acknowledging that investment in cycling and walking infrastructure will enable healthier and more active lifestyles.
Switching the country’s energy system to renewables, such as solar and wind, was also recognised as key to increasing employment and economic opportunity.
Over 60% of weekly public transport users declared that services have improved in the past 12 months.
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Kieran McCarthy, said he was heartened by how many people in Cork city were taking the climate crisis seriously.
“As a council, we are keen to support the public, our businesses, and the community to that action,” he said.
“I note that an important outcome from the survey was the need to speak in plain language, when talking about climate issues.
“We need scientists to inform us, but their information must be delivered in language that we can all understand.”
Green Party councillor for Cork City North East, Oliver Moran, who is chair of the Cork City Council Climate Action Committee, said the results showed a high level of engagement and awareness among the residents of the city.
“It’s clear from the results that the people of Cork are very engaged in what’s happening. 88% agree that climate change is happening and 80% say it’s affecting the weather in the city.” Cllr Moran said.
“The kinds of actions that people most want to see is better green areas and a shifting away from solid fuels, but also more locally produced food. Younger people, in particular those under 35, want more pedestrianised streets and a walkable city.
“There are challenges too. One-in-three homeowners are considering energy upgrades in the next 12 months, particularly the installing of solar panels, but the up-front cost is a barrier for 74% of homeowners.
“The reliability of public transport is also a barrier to 30% of residents, which emphasises the importance of supporting initiatives like BusConnects that will prioritise public transport,” he added.
Cork City Council chief executive Ann Doherty said that under the National Planning Framework, Cork was primed to be the fastest-growing city in the country over the next 20 years.
“Climate action must be at the heart of this growth,” Ms Doherty said.
“The City Development Plan, our blueprint for the next five years, commits us to growing as a sustainable, compact liveable city.”
App?
