All About Cork: Removal of slip road sparks fears over ‘traffic mayhem’

Cork City Council is in the process of awarding the construction tender for four Safe Routes to School projects, which include a scheme for St Luke’s National School on Mahony’s Ave.

The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programme was developed in partnership by the NTA and Green-Schools An Taisce as a response to the need to support schools to increase walking and cycling to school.

A council spokesperson explained: “The scheme for St Luke’s National School includes front-of-school works on Mahony’s Ave, a raised signalised pedestrian crossing on Ballyhooly Rd, a signalised pedestrian crossing on Wellington Rd, and the closure of the left vehicular slip from Middle Glanmire Rd onto Summerhill North.

“Currently vehicles travel from the Middle Glanmire Rd to Summerhill unimpeded, which increases speeds and is an additional potential conflict point between vehicles and children trying to walk to school. The removal of this slip road will create a safer walking environment for children and other pedestrians in the area.

“This measure, along with the other measures being introduced as part of the scheme, supports the recent calls by residents in the area for a reduction in speed, and traffic- calming in the area.”

However, Fine Gael councillor for the area Joe Kavanagh has expressed concern about how the removal of the slip road will affect already busy traffic in the area.

He told The Echo: “It’s already chaos; at busy times the traffic is really backed up. I live 200m from St Luke’s Cross and use it every day. I don’t know how it’s going to make it more of a safe route to school by causing traffic mayhem on the roads.”

He said he has put a motion to the council, calling for an immediate reversal of the decision, saying that he has been contacted by residents about speeds in the area, but that closing off the slip road will not improve this.

Men’s Shed members visit the Áras

Information session on derelict and vacant properties

If you own a derelict or vacant property in the Mayfield/Montenotte/Tivoli/Dillons Cross area or are curious about dereliction in your neighbourhood, an information session will be held in Mayfield this week.

Cork City Council is holding a public drop-in vacancy and dereliction session in Frank O’Connor Library on Wednesday from 11am to 1pm.

The information session is aimed at informing members of the public on the supports available to refurbish vacant and derelict properties, including the popular Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.

Almost 500 homes are availing of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant in Cork city, with over €27m in funding being progressed.

A council spokesperson explained: “When owning a vacant property, it can be difficult to work out the options available for bringing it back into use.

“People are therefore encouraged to come along and find out further information on the following: incentives available for property re-use, what to do if you own a derelict property, queries on ownership issues, or any other vacancy or dereliction queries.”

No appointment is necessary, just attend the information session at any time between 11am and 1pm on Wednesday at Frank O’Connor library.

Details on future drop-in sessions will be advertised on Cork City Council’s social media accounts.

For further information on vacancy, dereliction, and housing grants and schemes, check out www.corkcity.ie or send an email to derelictsites@corkcity.ie or vacantproperties@corkcity.ie.

Mayfield CDP courses

A range of free courses will be taking place in the Mayfield CDP Community Resource Centre, 328 Old Youghal Rd, funded by Cork ETB and Cork City Partnership CLG.

An introduction to mindfulness will continue from Thursday, October 16, for two Thursday mornings from 10am to 12.30pm.

Basic first aid course will be on Friday, October 17, from 9.30am to 2.30pm. This is will cover scene safety, CPR, cuts, falls, and more.

Basic photography will continue Monday, October 20, for five Monday mornings, 10.30am to 12 noon.

A flower arranging workshop will be on Monday, October 20, from 10.30am to 1pm.

Beginners computers will start on Tuesday, November 11, from 10am to 12 noon for six sessions.

Word-ECDL module will start on Wednesday, November 12, from 9am to 3pm for five sessions.

If you are interested in any of these courses, contact Mayfield CALP on 021 4508562 or email mayfieldcalp1@outlook.com.

Children’s running club

A Mayfield running club for children from tots to teens meets every Wednesday from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. Anyone who wants to take part can contact Paul Ryan at 087 4902233.

Footpath work completed

Following a motion tabled by Ted Tynan, Workers’ Party councillor for the Cork North-East Ward, Cork City Council has completed works to make Boyne Crescent safe for people living in the area.

Local residents had raised the issue with Mr Tynan on the need for widening the footpaths and the installation of traffic lights for a safe crossing in the vicinity.

Mr Tynan explained that the narrow footpaths had posed a danger for anyone traversing, so much so that even a guide dog for a blind person persistently refused to go there.

Wheelchair users and parents with buggies were forced out onto the road, and it was unsafe for young children on their way to and from school, he added.

Hazelwood Rd upgrade

Fianna Fáil councillor Margaret McDonnell has shared details of a scheme to provide improved pedestrian facilities and dedicated cycle lanes on the L-2966 along Hazelwood Rd from the entrance into the Hazelwood Centre/Crestfield Centre to the junction with Aldi.

The proposed cycle route will connect the previously approved Glanmire roads improvement scheme Part 8 Planning from Hazelwood Junction to the Glanmire greenway. The scheme will transform the 300m stretch into a street environment with enhanced pedestrian and cycling facilities and lighting, along with improved access to local shops and schools.

The main elements are the provision of new pedestrian footpaths and dedicated cycle lanes, redesign of the road for enhanced pedestrian and cycling environment, new energy-efficient and biodiversity-sensitive public lighting and the renewing and upgrading of traffic signals where required.