Anger over busy Cork road improvement delay due to compulsory purchase order decision

A CORK city councillor has voiced frustration that a significant road improvement scheme has been held up as a result of a delayed decision from An Bord Pleanála regarding the purchase of lands necessary to construct the scheme.

The Ballyvolane Strategic Transport Corridor Scheme — North Ring Road to Mervue was approved by councillors in early 2022, following public consultation in 2021.

It is aimed at delivering enhanced facilities for all road users with particular benefits for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users.

A spokesperson for Cork City Council told The Echo that the scheme “has planning and is currently at the detailed design stage” however, the local authority is “waiting on [an] An Bord Pleanála decision regarding the application for a compulsory purchase order to acquire the lands necessary to construct the scheme”.

The case was due to be decided on in late April.

Labour Party councillor for the city’s north-east ward, John Maher, said that he contacted An Bord Pleanála last week seeking an update, but that the planning board “couldn’t commit to a date due to backlogs”.

“This is very frustrating for residents of Ballyvolane and the north-east ward.

“The upgrade of junctions, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings and change of priority on the Banduff Road are needed now.

“We also need the bus and cycling infrastructure along with footpaths where there are currently none,” he said.

Mr Maher said the planned upgrades to the local road network are necessary to cope with existing and future demand.

“O Flynn’s Construction have begun building on the Ballyhooly Road with the infrastructure works well underway at Lahardane.

“I welcome development in Ballyvolane, but it should be balanced.

“The Ballyvolane Strategic Corridor Scheme will improve junctions at the Fox & Hounds, Ballyvolane Junction and Riverview junctions for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers,” he said.

“All we need now is for An Bord Pleanála to review the case.

“Are these delays due to lack of staff?

“If so, then Government must intervene and ensure we can have balanced development in all communities.” 

The overall length of the roads to be upgraded under the scheme measures approximately 1.8km, consisting of 1km of the Ballyhooly Road, 0.3km of the North Ring Road, 0.3km of the Ballyvolane Road, 0.1km of the Banduff Road, and 0.1km of the Rathcooney Road.

WORKS

The project works will include the widening and realignment of the existing road corridor, the realignment of junctions, the provision of new footpaths, cycle tracks, bus lanes, a new road lighting scheme and new surface water drainage system, traffic calming measures, junction buildouts, new road markings, upgraded road signage, the provision of street furniture and other works.

An spokesperson for An Bord Pleanála said it “does not comment on individual cases” but that, in relation to the backlog, “there was a significant departure of personnel at Board level in the organisation in late 2022 and early 2023 that resulted in restricted capacity at Board level and a consequent backlog of cases for determination”.

“A significant number of new Board appointments were made in the first half of 2023 and the Board now has a full complement of 15 Board members.

“There are different types of cases before the Board for determination.

“The Board will be applying different prioritization to those cases and therefore not deal with cases in chronological order.

“The Board has decided that this is the best way to manage its backlog,” the spokesperson added.