Plan to beef up access to city’s train station
Alan Kelly, minister for public and commuter transport, outlined details yesterday of specific projects to benefit under a previously announced funding package designed to improve the walking, cycling and public transport experience for city commuters.
“Cork City has relatively low public transport usage — just 8% of commuters in the city and the suburbs using public transport, compared to 21% in Dublin,” Mr Kelly said.
“Cork also has a relatively low cycling share with just 2% of commuters using bikes to get to and from school and work.
“We want more people to use public transport, cycle and walk to work or school. But people need the necessary infrastructure to make the choice to change their mode of travel.
“This investment programme is a welcome step to improve local traffic pinch points and to enhance more sustainable transport patterns for the people of Cork city.
“We don’t have as much funding as we want but we are making the best use of what we have.”
The minister confirmed €600,000 of the overall package, part of the regional cities’ sustainable transport programme, has been earmarked for the design and initial construction of improved access arrangements to Kent Station from Horgan’s Quay.
It will include improved arrangements for buses and taxis, and the construction of new bike and bus lanes to link the station to the city.
A total of €1m has been earmarked for the city centre movement strategy that includes proposals to ban private cars from St Patrick’s St, and introduce two-way traffic on several of the city’s one-way streets. Work is set to begin soon on the reallocation of road space on several city centre streets to facilitate buses and cyclists.
The funding will help complete projects started last year, including a new cycle route to connect the city centre to University College Cork, and cycle corridors to link both Douglas and Ballyvolane to the city centre.
And other funds have been allocated to complete the first phase of the Carrigaline Green Route, and start the second phase of improvement works to bus and cycling routes along Maryborough Hill.
Mr Kelly reiterated his commitment to introducing a bike-rental scheme to Cork City — similar to Dublin’s bike scheme, which is, per capita, the most successful scheme of its kind in the world.
He reported “good progress” following a call last year for a potential advertising sponsor and said talks with likely partners are advancing.
“I would be hopeful that Cork City can secure a sponsor for this scheme,” he said.
“The National Transport Authority and my department are actively working on proposals and there is some time to run but there has been some interest in Cork City.”
