All About Cork: Work begins on footpath repair but ‘a lot more to do’

Cork City Council staff have been repairing a footpath in the community amid calls to address the “dire state” of footpaths in the area.

Social Democrats councillor Pádraig Rice took to social media in recent days to highlight works on the footpath on Pearse Road – an issue he highlighted during his election campaign.

The newly-elected councillor, who has also been put forward for the general election, expressed his satisfaction at seeing work commence on the footpath but added that more was needed across Ballyphehane, Togher and wider Cork city.

“The first issue I contacted the city council about during the local elections was the dire state of the footpaths around Ballyphehane, Togher, Turners Cross and the Lough,” he told The Echo.

“Across the city, they are in a bad state. Broken and cracked footpaths are causing huge accessibility issues for people. As I went around canvassing, every day I met older people who had tripped on the footpaths – some ending up in hospital. One woman said the fall left her ‘black and blue’ – falls like this really set people back.

“I also met people with disabilities who really struggle to move around,” he added.

“People in wheelchairs told me how they sometimes have to go out on the road because of the footpath. It’s unacceptable that they have to do this.

“Some parts of the footpaths are also simply dangerous. Some utility covers are so badly installed that they are a trip hazard for everyone.

“The footpaths in parts of Pearse Road and Connolly Road are particularly inaccessible, with the lack of a drop kerb in many parts. As a result, some people with disabilities can’t physically get up onto the footpath in some parts,” Mr Rice continued.

“I wrote to the council to complain about this. I’m very glad to see that the first section of the footpath on Pearse Road has been replaced following this representation. There’s a lot more to do, but it’s great that a start has been made.

“I’m going to continue campaigning on this issue until footpaths across the city are safe and accessible for all.”

Call for help with potato picking

Ballyphehane Community Centre has called on its neighbours to pitch in and help pick potatoes at the local centre’s community garden.

With major roof repair works and a number of other projects on the go, management at the community centre admitted that it has been hard to get out into the community garden to harvest the potatoes which are ready to be picked.

They praised a few volunteers for already getting out into the garden to pick some of the homegrown potatoes, and called for anyone interested in helping out to get in contact.

“There is a lot of work going on in the centre so it’s been hard to get out in the community garden,” management said.

“We would be delighted if neighbours want to pitch in.”

Hiroshima Day marked

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Green Party councillor Dan Boyle, recently led a commemoration in memory of the bombing of Hiroshima and to highlight Cork’s pledge to remain nuclear free.

Councillors and members of the community gathered in Peace Park last week to mark Hiroshima Day.

In a statement, Mr Boyle said: “On behalf of the city council I was pleased to hold this commemoration. It has been 40 years since this memorial stone was put in place and 35 years since Cork declared itself to be a Nuclear Free City.”

Public invited to discover ‘secret’ Cork greenway

The public is invited to discover a secret passageway that brings you from one end of Cork city to another as part of a free National Heritage Week event beginning at 6pm on Thursday, August 22.

The Tramore River Greenway quietly snakes through Turner’s Cross/Ballyphehane and Togher, providing a unique link between these long-established Cork neighbourhoods.

The walking event, titled ‘Connecting Tramore River Communities’, is led by Turner’s Cross Climate Action Group in collaboration with Togher Tidy Towns and the wider Tramore River Communities Group, which also includes the Ballyphehane and Douglas Tidy Towns.

It will begin at the entrance to Harvey Norman on Kinsale Road (T12 XY1E) at 6pm, when participants will be shown the first of an array of new signs showcasing the biodiversity present along the river. The walk is approximately 2km long, and those participating are advised to wear comfortable, waterproof footwear.

There is a second part of the event, which is also free and open to the public, whether they participate in the walking section or not, beginning at 7pm at the Togher end of the greenway, opposite Togher Community Centre (T12 C8VW). 

There, Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Dan Boyle will officially launch the signs. Tickets for the event are free and can be booked online via Eventbrite.

Step forward for road scheme

Sinn Féin TD for Cork South Central Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire and Sinn Féin councillor for the city’s South West ward, Joe Lynch, have welcomed a massive step forward for the Lehenaghmore Road Improvement Scheme, with An Bord Pleanála approving the associated Compulsory Purchase Order.

“This is a major step forward,” said Mr Ó Laoghaire. 

“The road scheme has been with An Bord Pleánala for almost two years now. It is a huge relief to have this finally completed. The scheme can now finally go to tender and construction over the course of the coming months. I understand the tendering and awarding of a contract is due to happen by year end. 

This community has been waiting far too long, they are completely cut off, with no safe way to walk to shops or schools,” the Cork TD added. 

“This saga has been going on for years. I hope that this can finally get moving now and Cllr Joe Lynch and I will be keeping the pressure on.”

Mr Lynch said: “I have been liaising with city council officials in relation to the Lehenaghmore Road Improvement Scheme since being elected to the council in June, and I am delighted that the Compulsory Purchase Order – necessary to acquire the lands required to complete the works – has now been approved.

“Local residents have been waiting far too long for things as basic as footpaths, and we now need to see council move ahead with finalising the design of the project without delay, and the National Transport Authority speedily approving the funding required to put works out to tender.”

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