Cork councillor unhappy with Lotamore bus terminal plans

A councillor has expressed concern at plans for a new bus terminal in Lotamore which would involve the removal of a green area and mature trees.

The council has proposed introducing one new bus stop/stand (terminal) on Lotamore Drive (near Bawnleigh Court) at its junction with the R615 Old Youghal Road, to “enhance the provision of public bus services”.

Under the plans, for which public consultation closed on Friday, July 18, the roadway will be modified to accommodate a new turning and waiting area for buses to support the new Route 28 as part of Phase 3 Cork Network Redesign.

“With the new Route 28 commencing on this site, new terminal capacity including lay-over space is needed at Lotamore Drive to support this,” 

the council said.

The main elements of the proposed works are the introduction of new turning facility, connecting Lotamore Drive and Old Youghal Road, and the provision of a bus stand and bus stop location, allowing buses to stop/stand at the start/end of its route.

The plans neccesitate the removal of trees/vegetation within green space to the west of Lotamore Drive to accommodate the new turning area.

Also included in the plans are kerbing, road drainage, signing and lining to suit lane alignments, upgraded uncontrolled crossing facilities in the area to support pedestrian movements, and renewal/replacement of other road drainage, road signage, and road markings as might be necessary.

Green Party councillor for the area Oliver Moran said that he hopes the plans go back to the drawing board, telling The Echo: “There’s been a string of proposals at locations across the city to make room for new terminals for bus routes coming on-stream shortly.

“Normally, these are uncontroversial. There’s been one or two that have had to remove on-street parking, but that’s about it.

“In this case, my feeling is that the consensus as things stand is that this one needs to go back to the drawing board. 

"It’s a big ask on the community to sacrifice a green area immediately in front of their homes and the loss of mature trees, when there’s surely lots of other options to manoeuvre a bus in the area.”

Mr Moran explained: “The 209 already terminates in the estate and can manoeuvre for the return journey. The new service will be more frequent and so may need new infrastructure, so it may be one of those cases of going back and looking at the area again for new options. If we do that, I’m sure another way can be found.”