Hi-tech traffic flow system

AN electronic traffic management system is to be installed at Cork’s newest multi-million shopping centre at Mahon Point.

The system, called MOVE, will use sensors to ease the flow of traffic at the junction to the centre and on slip roads to the centre and retail park.

Meanwhile, anchor tenants Debenhams and Tesco have indicated that trade is up to expectations for the first three months at the centre. Trade at Debenhams has been on a par with the Dublin store, a bigger store which opened nine years ago, according to store manager Ian Deegan.

“We are achieving all our targets at present. We trade until 9pm from Monday to Friday and, as a result of these opening hours, we’re benefiting in terms of trade,” he said.

However, there is concern among some traders that footfall dips dramatically in the first three days of the week. One trader, who did not wish to be named, said trade was “slack” early in the week.

A spokesman for developers O’Callaghan Properties said the centre is trading buoyantly.

Up to 60,000 people a day were visiting the centre in the first few weeks of opening, but trade has levelled off, according to traders.

The traffic management system is expected to ease traffic flow at peak shopping times. It is being installed by Cork City Council and will be operational in the coming weeks, according to a spokesman. He added closure of part of the Lee Tunnel for repair works had added to traffic congestion and said gardaí were working with the city council on traffic-flow measures.

Gasoline managing director Paul Gallagher said the store was trading buoyantly, outperforming his store in the city centre. Clamping concerns was affecting city centre trade, he added.

His concerns on clamping and its implications for city centre trade were echoed by Billy Lynch, who operates the O’Briens Irish Sandwich franchise for Cork city and county in partnership with John Lynch. Mr Lynch said Mahon Point had got a little quieter in recent weeks, but he added turnover was very good.

The shopping centre is the largest mixed-use commercial development outside of Dublin. When the centre is fully completed in 2009, it will also include a retail park, hotel, leisure centre, hi-tech industrial park and offices.

Cork Business Association admits that clamping concerns are impacting negatively on the city.

However, CBA president Ray Doherty says that city centre retailers should feel the benefit of a €75,000 campaign, which is underway to promote the city centre.