Two new pedestrian crossings for Cork city's southside

A Cork TD has welcomed news of two new pedestrian crossings on the southside of the city, with works due to begin at the start of 2026.

Cork City Council will publish a public notice next week for pedestrian crossing safety improvement works that include Grange Rd at Tramore Valley Park and Lower Friars Walk at Loretto Park.

The installation of controlled pedestrian crossings and a zebra crossing is planned to begin in the first quarter of 2026, contingent on the continuation of financial support from the NTA active travel projects fund.

Sinn Féin TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire told The Echo: “This is very welcome news; these are pedestrian crossings people have been seeking for a long time.

"For many years myself and Councillor Fiona Kerins have been campaigning for a pedestrian crossing at Friars Walk; the lack of a pedestrian crossing at Friars Walk adjacent to Ballyphehane Park is a huge issue for pedestrians. There is no safe crossing after Ballyphehane Church as far as St Patrick’s Rd, some 800m of a distance.

“This is an extremely busy road,” he said.

“Large amounts of people cross the road here to access the park, the library, the community centre, and shops, and which school-going children and their parents use to get to Gaelscoil an Teaghlaigh Naofa. 

"On the western side of Friars Walk, you have the numerous housing estates and Presentation Secondary School, as well as the creche.

“It is also very welcome that the council are finally moving on the pedestrian crossing at Grange Rd. Likewise, Tramore Valley Park is a terrific amenity and the Mount Vernon Park bridge is a huge addition, but there is so much traffic on the Grange Rd that it is difficult to get across. 

"The need for a pedestrian crossing here was identified years ago, including by my colleague, former councillor Eoghan Jeffers, so I really welcome that this is being progressed now, and it will make it much more accessible for residents in Grange and Frankfield to use the new bridge.”