Sites identified for second park-and-ride

A NUMBER of sites for Cork’s second park-and-ride facility have been identified on the western outskirts of the city.

City manager Joe Gavin has confirmed that negotiations with a number of landowners are underway to secure an 800-space facility on lands on the left-hand side of the Carrigrohane Road outbound from the city.

Mr Gavin said officials would hope to have the negotiations advanced within two months.

The news emerged on the same day the Government published a discussion document on sustainable transport and travel, which raises the possibility of congestion charges in Ireland’s main cities.

However, Transport Minister Noel Dempsey said the charges will not be introduced until proper alternatives, like park-and-ride facilities, have been put in place.

The Cork Area Strategic Plan set out plans for a necklace of several high frequency bus-based park-and-rides around the city.

But just one, Black Ash on the Kinsale Road roundabout, has been delivered. Cork City Council became the first local authority in Ireland to obtain a bus passenger licence for that location.

The 900-space, €5-a-day facility opened in November 2003. In recent months, UCC has signed a deal to use some of the parking spaces for its students.

However, attempts to establish more around Cork have failed.

The council was forced in 2006 to abandon its plans to develop a €5 million 600-space facility in Banduff, Mayfield, after strong local and political objections.

The Black Ash park and ride won a Public Service Excellence award in 2006.

Figures from 2005 showed that the facility, which generates a profit, was used by 125,000 vehicles and 200,000 passengers.

The county council is also understood to be looking at a bus-based park-and-rides in Glounthane.