Business owners and residents in Cork suburb have 'immense concerns' over BusConnects proposals  

The chief executive officer of the National Transport Authority (NTA) has been urged to engage in “meaningful discussion” with business owners and residents in a bid to reach “meaningful resolutions” to concerns raised over BusConnects plans for Douglas village and its environs.

Independent councillor for the South-Central ward, Paudie Dineen, made the plea in an open letter directed to Anne Graham.

Mr Dineen said he has been speaking with Douglas-based business owners and residents who have “immense concerns” that the plans as proposed would have a “detrimental impact on their village, their livelihoods, and the area where they live”.

“They have also informed me that all manner of contact with you has fallen on deaf ears, which is very disappointing to say the least,” he said.

“I openly call on you, Miss Anne Graham CEO of the NTA, to agree to meet with the group to engage in meaningful discussion with an aim to reach meaningful resolutions regarding Douglas Village and its environs.”

Detrimental impact

Speaking to The Echo, Peter Collins, who owns Barry’s of Douglas bar and restaurant in Douglas village, said many have concerns that if a sustainable transport corridor (STC) is implemented as proposed, it would have a detrimental impact on those trading in the heart of Douglas.

“We fear for our livelihoods and jobs for our employees should the corridor be adopted in its present form,” he said.

Mr Collins, a representative of a collective of concerned business owners and residents in Douglas, said the group has “three main concerns plus a myriad of others”.

“They’re closing off the Fingerpost Roundabout and going to a signalised junction, which is probably OK, but in their plan, they’re stopping traffic exiting out of Douglas, so we have a major concern over that.”

He added that the NTA’s plans would constrict the flow of traffic into Douglas with “numerous turns being banned within the East Douglas Village St area”.

“Then, they’re removing car parking spaces and they’re not telling us where those spaces are going to be given back. We see a net loss, on our last count, of about 30/35 car parking spaces.”

Legal challenge

Mr Collins said those concerned would consider mounting a legal challenge if changes to the current proposals are not made.

“If the NTA don’t listen to us and change what we consider are terrible proposals for the village, we will consider all legal means to challenge it,” he said.

Documentation for STC I ‘Maryborough Hill to City’ states that it is proposed that East Douglas St “is restricted to local access only for general traffic”.

“To do this, the southern end of East Douglas St (where it meets the Fingerpost Junction) would become bus and cycle only. There would be a left turn ban for general traffic at the end of Church St where it meets East Douglas St with a left and right turn ban for general traffic from East Douglas St onto Church St.”

Quiet route

The NTA said these changes would allow for East Douglas St to be used as a quiet route by pedestrians, cyclists, and buses.

A spokesperson said the NTA “has been engaging with business representatives in Douglas throughout the public consultation process” and that it is aware of “ongoing concerns regarding the BusConnects Cork proposals for Sustainable Transport Corridor I”.

The spokesperson said the authority has met with a certain business group on a number of occasions and continues to engage with them.

“The investment in the BusConnects proposals in Douglas Village are intended to enhance the accessibility and attractiveness of the village,” said the spokesperson.

“Similar schemes, both nationally and internationally, demonstrate that improved accessibility and street enhancements created by these projects generate increased footfall and economic activity.”