‘Pana’ pedestrianisation plan helped by €7m fund

Ambitious plans to pedestrianise Cork’s main street have taken a major step forward following the announcement of a €7m citywide transport funding package.

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar sanctioned a total of €6.8m yesterday for several projects designed to improve traffic flow, provide better access for buses and taxis, and provide new or better routes for cyclists and pedestrians in the city.

They include a €330,000 project to improve access for pedestrians, buses, cyclists and taxis on St Patrick’s Street, including new street signs.

A €300,000 project to improve traffic flow at Parnell Place, providing better access for buses to the bus station, upgrading pedestrian facilities, and improving street lighting and cycle lanes, is also due to go ahead.

Labour TD Ciarán Lynch welcomed the investment, which he said will benefit road users and provide a jobs boost.

“The ultimate plan to pedestrianise St Patrick’s Street will enhance the shopping experience there and add to the improvements in the city centre in recent years,” he said.

Cork Chamber chief executive Conor Healy said: “Investment in public transport infrastructure is essential to ensure increased efficiency and usage levels and is particularly welcome in Cork at this time.”

Other schemes to get funding yesterday included:

* A €950,000 project to build a new roundabout on the Skehard Road with safer pedestrian crossing points, bus and cycle lanes and a new footpath;

* A €450,000 project to improve access to Kent Station by upgrading the route between St Patrick’s Bridge and MacCurtain Street. New bus junctions to be provided at MacCurtain Street, Summerhill, Penrose Quay and Michael Collins Bridge;

* A further €200,000 to provide better taxi and bus access near Kent Station entrance;

* €650,000 to start construction this year on a cycle corridor from Ballyvolane to city centre;

* €400,000 to allow the Douglas to city centre cycle corridor be completed this year;

* A further €477,400 will allow for the completion of the Ballincollig Green Route, including river bank protection on the Curraheen River.

Mr Varadkar said public transport use is quite low in Cork and cycling is relatively uncommon by comparison with other cities.

“Over the next few years, the new Government will fund a multi-annual programme of investment in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford to encourage more people to use the bus, ride their bikes, or travel on foot,” he said.

He also sanctioned €170,000 to improve bike parking facilities in a number of suburbs, €275,000 to draw up plans for a new cycle route between the city centre and UCC, and €300,000 to finish the cycle route on the Boreenmanna Road.

Pedestrian safety will also be improved thanks to a €100,000 crossing and lighting on Churchfield Avenue and €150,000 improvements to the junction of Sunday’s Well Road and Western Road.