Work on cross-river ferry link with Cobh  to get underway soon

Work to start on designing an active travel link between the cross-river ferry terminal in Carrigaloe and Cobh town centre.

The update was provided to Fianna Fáil councillor Dominic Finn at a southern division meeting in County Hall.

Mr Finn sought timelines for the plan and was informed by Padraig Barrett, the council’s director of roads and transportation, that the local authority will appoint consultants to design the project in September.

He said it will realistically take about five years before the project is fully completed.

Council engineers are to meet with local landowners whose land may be required to facilitate a walking and cycling link between the ferry terminal and the town centre.

Known as the Great Island transportation study, the outline has already been submitted to the Department of Transport.

It will be designed to provide safer off-road travel to the cross-river ferry on a daily basis, aiding many tourists visiting the area who prefer these modes of transport over cars.

Other council staff said they will keep members of the Cobh municipal district council appraised of developments.

Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about safety on another active travel plan which has been completed.

Fianna Fáil councillor Sheila O’Callaghan highlighted issues at the junction of the church in Glounthaune.

She said motorists who are driving down from the ‘Dry Bridge’ on the junction’s northern side are coming into conflict with cyclists there.

Respect right of way

Council engineers said they had carried out a safety audit there, and drivers have to respect right of way for pedestrians and cyclists who are crossing the road there.

Ms O’Callaghan said another 900 houses are planned for the Glounthaune area, adding that this could put even more pressure on safety at the junction.

She said water ponding at the junction’s pedestrian crossing was preventing visually impaired people from recognising tactile paving crossing points. 

Engineers said they would address this and look at any other tweaks which might make the junction safer.

Fine Gael councillor Anthony Barry then asked them to create a safe active travel link between Carrigtwohill town centre, the nearby biggest school campus in the country, and the local railway station.

He said this should have been created a long time ago.