Loss of parking spaces from Cork community centre deemed ‘unacceptable’

The removal of parking spaces from outside a northside community centre has been described as “unacceptable and deeply damaging” by the chairman of the Cork County Basketball Board.

The removal of parking spaces outside the Gurranabraher Parochial Hall, which commenced early on Monday, is the most recent phase of the controversial Knockpogue Avenue and Knockfree Avenue active travel scheme.

The comments, by Willie McCarthy, chairman of the Cork County Basketball Board, come against the backdrop of ongoing protests against the removal of trees and parking spaces for the construction of a new cycleway.

The northside active travel scheme was unanimously approved by Cork City Council in April 2023, with the proposal passing without a vote.

Mr McCarthy said the decision to remove the Gurranabraher parking spaces was made “without any agreement in place, despite ongoing discussions”.

“The commencement of these works, carried out under security presence, is both unacceptable and deeply damaging to the basketball community in Cork,” he said.

The hall is, he said, “the heart of Cork basketball”, with more than 50 basketball games taking place at the parochial hall each week, and 15 clubs using it for home games.

“Basketball has been played in the Parochial Hall for over 60 years, and it is a proud and vital part of Cork’s sporting heritage.” 

The removal of parking would, he added, have a huge and immediate impact on players, coaches, families, officials, and spectators, particularly younger players and those traveling from across the county.

Mr McCarthy said he was extremely disappointed by the lack of response and silence from both local and national representatives.

“Elected officials are chosen to represent and engage with the people, not to impose decisions upon them without consultation,” he said.

Mr McCarthy said Cork County Basketball Board was calling for the immediate cessation of all works so that “proper mediation and consultation” could occur between Cork City Council, local representatives, and locals.

A Cork City Council spokesperson said consultation on the Knockpogue Knockfree active travel scheme had been extensive.

“It led to changes — including the retention of more on-street parking for residents — and engagement is ongoing,” they said.

Existing informal parking arrangements around the parochial hall would be reduced but provision had been made for parking at the nearby Sam Allen Complex, they added.

“For residential areas, 125 car parking spaces will be provided as part of the overall plan – representing a loss of about five spaces overall.

“This is primarily due to the space required for the installation of new pedestrian crossing facilities,” they said.

“Members of Cork City Council's design team ran drop-in sessions in LeisureWorld, Knockfree Ave, from Monday, February 16, to Friday, February 20, from 9am to 2pm every weekday over those two weeks, to allow members of the public to drop in and discuss the project.”