‘World class’ plan for Cork's North Docks gets green light

Cork city councillors have voted in favour of the redevelopment of the North Docks, plans the council have said will “create a destination location with world-class public realm”.

The Cork North Docks Public Realm and Transport Infrastructure project encompasses relocation of the N8 (Horgan’s Rd) away from the quayside to create space for a waterfront promenade of public-realm spaces, active travel corridors, amenities, and landscaping.

A total of 36 submissions were made, the council said in a part-8 report debated at this week’s council meeting. The council noted that these submissions were “overwhelmingly supportive of the proposals” or made suggestions regarding possible amendments and improvements.

Several submissions supported the project, without requests for amendments, with one person saying: “Looks fantastic. This would be a huge upgrade.”

A total of 12 suggested modifications, including 13 submissions proposing a Cork lido and eight recommending some other leisure facilities.

Submissions

Seven submissions made observations about the wider docklands area and river access, while several more highlighted the importance of cycle or public transport infrastructure being retained and improved; and others asked the council to include water fountains and public toilets.

One submission, by a resident of Lower Glanmire Rd, shared concern that the local community, which already struggles with traffic congestion, would be marginalised by the development of the docklands and asked for the scheme to include their area.

The part-8 report explained: “There may be an opportunity in the future to modify the current cross-section, but this would be dependent on the delivery of other transport infrastructure projects.”

The council stated that in response to these submissions, they will include accessible public water-drinking facilities, and will assess the potential for segregating cycle lanes, a TFI bike stand, and covered bus stops, all of which were requested.

Traffic flows 

The council added that they will ensure that the proposed measures “facilitate the recommendations of the river-use feasibility study/masterplan to the greatest possible extent” and that a comprehensive traffic-modelling exercise be undertaken to assess any impact on traffic flows in the area.

Gerry O’Beirne, the council’s director of infrastructure development, said: “The proposed measures will greatly improve the level of service for sustainable modes of transportation in the North Docks and create a destination location with world-class public realm on the waterfront.

They will “create an improved entry to the city centre for motorists, provide improved pedestrian and cycle facilities with connectivity and wayfinding, provide safe and efficient bus facilities, create world-class public realm, create new public parks, a waterfront promenade, extensive landscaping, leisure amenities, playground facilities, as well as facilitating future residential development in adjacent lands”, Mr O’Beirne added.