Work to fix quay wall in Cork city centre finally set to commence

REPAIR works at a section of quay wall in the heart of Cork city which collapsed more than a year and a half ago are set to commence early next month.

A collapse of a portion of the northern quay wall near South Gate Bridge in August 2022 marked the latest in a number of quay wall collapses along that stretch of the south channel of the River Lee.

The incident left a sizeable hole at a section of quay wall which abuts a privately-owned car park.

Independent councilor Mick Finn told The Echo that councillors have now been informed that the repair works are set to get underway in early April.

“Councillor Dan Boyle and I both raised this issue with council and it was pointed out to us that the collapsed wall is in fact the responsibility of the landowner. It has taken well over a year to get to a point where we have a definite timeline commencing on April 4,” he said.

Green Party councillor Mr Boyle added: “I’m glad to see it happening at last. It’s been left go far too long. I’m looking forward to seeing a proper and effective job being done.”

Works expected last summer

Remedial works on the collapsed section of quay wall had been expected to commence last summer.

A spokesperson for Cork City Council told The Echo in July that a schedule of works had been agreed with the private landowners whose responsibility it is to repair the section of damaged quay wall.

“A schedule of works has been agreed with works due to commence in mid-August, with the repairs expected to take approximately nine weeks,” the spokesperson said at the time. The entire cost of the works being borne by the landowner.”

City centre transformation

The city centre was the focus of some discussion at a meeting of Cork City Council this month.

A motion tabled by Mr Finn had stated that, “given concerns about the future of the city centre including vacancies, cost of parking, anti-social activities — and a wish to ensure a vibrant future” — that Cork City Council would initiate a forum early in 2024 in the Concert Hall to “include all business interests operating in the centre with a view to looking at the changes, challenges and opportunities that are impacting on the city and to develop strategies to address those”.

This process should include various business groupings, the gardaí and others, he said.

In a report, the council said it is implementing a City Centre Economic and Revitalisation Strategy, agreed by the council in 2022, which “focusses on enhancing the experience of the city centre”.

The report said that in recent times there has been “significant transformation of the city centre”, and that further transformation is planned as investment is set to continue.

However, the council noted it would be prudent to “take stock” of the city centre strategy.

“Therefore, Cork City Council will hold a symposium on the city centre that will provide an update on the actions set out in the plan, a review of international trends and practices as well as a workshop of businesses,” the council said.