All About Cork: Installation of a shelter in the Blackrock village will encourage people to use the buses

Calls have been made for the installation of a bus shelter in Blackrock village to further encourage use of public transport.

Fine Gael Cork City South East councillor Des Cahill and Labour Party Cork City South East councillor Peter Horgan have said that the installation of a bus shelter along the Convent Rd in Blackrock village is a “basic tenet” for promoting sustainable travel.

The issue was raised at a recent meeting of the Blackrock Community Association, which prompted both Mr Cahill and Mr Horgan to raise the matter further with the National Transport Authority (NTA).

A spokesperson for the NTA said that this year, Cork City Council received an allocation of €500,000 under the Bus Stop Enhancement Programme (BSEP), for the provision of enhancing bus stopping locations across the administrative area.

“The funding provided under the BSEP is intended to enable each local authority to enhance bus stop facilities, including the provision of bus shelters where appropriate,” the spokesperson said.

“To further assist local authorities and [to] make the process more streamlined, the NTA will, through a central supply contract, provide any required bus shelters to the local authority.

“In addition, the NTA will also arrange for its contractor to undertake their installation [and] to maintain the bus shelters subsequently.

“The NTA will be engaging further with each local authority over the next number of weeks to agree the programme of such works for 2025.”

Mr Horgan said that the installation of a shelter along the Convent Rd would encourage people in the local area to “mix their mode”.

“Having a bus shelter is a basic tenet in trying to attract people to using the public transport options more frequently,” said Mr Horgan.

“Having a shelter here makes more sense than a lot of locations because there is no land issue to deal with.

“Working cross party for the area, we can achieve this investment which isn’t a silver bullet for bus transport, but is helpful in encouraging people to mix their mode.”

Mr Cahill said: “It’s important that this shelter is available in the village, to accommodate those who use the bus service and encourage others to do so.”

Speed up work to slow down traffic in the locality

Cork City Council has said that the areas of Beaumont and Ballintemple have been earmarked for assessment following calls for increased pedestrian crossings, despite a lack of funding to facilitate works.

The comments come following calls from city councillors for national funding to ensure a rollout of pedestrian safety measures across Blackrock.

Independent councillor Kieran McCarthy said pedestrian safety is a “priority” for people across the South East Ward.

“We’re way behind where we should be — we need more funding for the bread and butter stuff,” Mr McCarthy said.

“Road safety seems to be a priority for people I have spoken with - we need better footpaths and better pedestrian crossings.

“We’re very blessed that we get lots of money for greenways and investments like the Marina Promenade, but we’re obliged not to harness that funding for other projects.”

Labour Party councillor Peter Horgan said that pedestrian safety in the area has become a matter of urgency.

“This is a critical issue that must be decided on,” Mr Horgan said. “I have spoken with parents of children going to school in the area and they are very worried about the potential for a serious accident.

“We have to slow down the cars but speed up the investment and delivery,” he added.

“I have sought for some time proper pedestrian safety works in Ballintemple and now in Beaumont drive.”

A spokesperson for Cork City Council said:

“A request for a pedestrian crossing on Beaumont Drive between the junction of Beaumont Drive and Church Rd to the junction of Dundanion and Beaumont Drive has been added to the list of areas that will be assessed for a pedestrian crossing.

“Currently there is no city council funding available for this type of works, however, we will retain the project for future roads programmes should funds be made available.”

Style Squad pop-up to raise funds for good causes

Mahon Point’s Style Squad service recently partnered with Edel House and Good Shepherd Cork to raise vital funds for essential community supports.

At a recent pop-up event, representatives from Edel House and Good Shepherd Cork, Claire Harrington and Jessica Heaphy, met with Style Squad advisor, Dee Kelly to discuss the charity’s work providing essential services for both homeless people and vulnerable women and children across the city and county.

Rather than charging a fee for the Style Squad event, visitors at the centre were encouraged to donate to the charity instead, seeing more than €500 raised for the provision of Edel House and Good Shepherd Cork’s services.

The partnership is set to continue between the two with the centre’s upcoming Jeans Clinic, which will resume from April 28, and continue throughout the year, as part of Ms Kelly’s style advisory service.

Luas line public consultation

Independent councillor Kieran McCarthy is calling on people across the Cork City South East ward to have their say on the emerging preferred route (EPR) for the Cork Luas line.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) will host three public meetings in Cork across April and May, where the public can share their thoughts on the recently launched EPR.

The 18km route is proposing eight stops within the Cork City South East ward, from the Docklands to Mahon Point Shopping Centre.

Speaking to The Echo, Mr McCarthy said it is “crucial” for people living along the route to have a chance to voice their opinions.

“It is very important for residents from Ballintemple through Churchyard Lane all the way down Skehard Road [to see the documents as] there are proposals for small land takes,” said Mr McCarthy.

“If you live in these areas, it is crucial that you come up to speed with the proposals and meet the NTA team to get more exact details.”

The three public consultations will take place at the Kingsley Hotel on April 28 from 12pm to 8pm; at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on April 29 from 12pm to 8pm; and at the Metropole Hotel on May 6 from 12pm to 8pm.

Easter events at Mahon Point

Over the next week, Mahon Point Shopping Centre will host a range of free children’s events in honour of the Easter holidays.

As part of the line-up of events, a Wizard of Oz themed easter egg hunt will take place on Friday from 1pm to 2.30pm, where participants will have the opportunity to meet with the Easter Bunny, and Dorothy from the classic children’s novel.

On Saturday, an Alice in Wonderland themed arts and crafts workshop will take place at the centre, from 1pm and finishing at 4pm.

Children will have the opportunity to get hands-on and creative with characters including Alice, the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, and the Queen of Hearts.

While the centre will close for Easter Sunday, a fun-filled music and movement session will take place on Monday from 12pm to 2pm, where guests will have the chance to dance and play games.