Former city manager fails in bid to stop controversial one-way system

A CONTROVERSIAL one-way system is to be introduced on a lane in a Cork suburb despite the objections of a former city manager.

Councillors have voted to finally introduce the system on the narrow Clover Hill Lane in Blackrock, which links the Skehard Road with the Mahon Golf Course and Mahon Industrial Estate, following more than two years of reports and discussion on the matter.

A temporary one-way system was installed on the lane as a pilot scheme last summer, but several complaints were received.

A public notice was published in the press on November 30 which stated the council’s intention to make the one-way system permanent.

Several submissions, including one from former city manager Jack Higgins, were received.

His daughter, Mary, lives on Clover Hill lane and in his official objection, he described the proposal as “ill-advised” and said it “appears to have been taken on the behest of those who do not live on the road and thus who do not suffer the danger and inconvenience of those who do”.

Mary said the one-way system would force her and two neighbouring families to use a circuitous route through Mahon Industrial Estate.

But Clover Lawn and Kilbrack Lawn residents supported the one-way system.

They said the lane is too narrow for two-way traffic and pedestrians were at risk because there is no footpath.

Others complained that delivery trucks entering the lane from Skehard Road had hit garden walls.

The issue was debated in City Hall two weeks ago but a decision was deferred to consider a compromise proposal from city manager, Joe Gavin.

He suggested maintaining the one-way system, but allowing residents living on the lane to use it both ways. This arrangement has been used successfully elsewhere in the city, he said.

Several councillors visited the lane over the last two weeks and the issue was raised at last week’s council meeting again.

Cllr Terry Shannon said six of the area’s seven councillors want the one-way system introduced and that the time had come for the system to be implemented permanently.

“We are not in the business of making rules for an elite few,” he said.

He was backed by Cllr Laura McGonigle who said it was crazy that it had taken over two years for a decision to be taken.

But Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy said a compromise solution should be explored further.

A vote was called and the one-way system will now be made permanent.