City manager calls for funding pledge to build bridge

CORK’S city manager has called on the Government to commit funding to build an iconic bridge over the River Lee to help kick-start the city’s multi-billion-euro docklands regeneration project.

Joe Gavin, who has overseen the docklands regeneration plan for the last decade, and who is due to retire as city manager next month, said if the Government is serious about balanced regional development and Cork’s Gateway status, it should signal its intent to help fund the construction of the Eastern Gateway Bridge.

The €80 million swing bridge was one of two bridges, and several major docklands infrastructural roads projects, which received planning permission from An Bord Pleanála last month.

It will be built between Tivoli and the southern bank of the River Lee near Páirc Uí Chaoimh and will be the largest swing bridge in Europe.

It was the priority project in the council’s submission for Gateway Innovation Funding but the Government has deferred a decision on that fund.

Mr Gavin said despite the economic conditions and the fortunes of a “few developers”, the time is now right for the Government to give the funding commitment towards the bridge.

In a detailed progress report on Cork’s Docklands regeneration 2001-2010, he said: “The stage has now been reached where it is important for central government to make a commitment towards funding of the proposed Eastern Gateway Bridge.

“This would enable the council to finalise the design and prepare contract documents.

“The provision of the Gateway Bridge, which is necessary to improve access to the docklands, would boost confidence and be a catalyst for major development in the docklands.

“In addition, a commitment for funding would enable the council to launch a significant marketing initiative.”

Mr Gavin said the downturn will delay the delivery of some docklands projects but he said despite the downturn, he remains upbeat about its future.

He also launched a robust defence of developers, including troubled developer Greg Coughlan, whom the High Court has ordered be brought before the court after he failed to file a statement of assets in relation to a €28m judgment over unpaid loans.

Mr Coughlan’s ambitious €1bn Atlantic Quarter project was one of the first major docklands projects to be granted planning permission for an 11-acre site near Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Mr Gavin said: “We still need developers. Nothing will be built without developers. Sure, there is a need for governance and controls but we need to give them support.”

He also reaffirmed his view that the city council, and not an outside agency such as a docklands authority, is best placed to drive the docklands project forward.