Meeting held in Mahon as neighbourhood bike scheme disrupts residents 

The meeting, attended by up to 80 people, heard concerns about the roadworks, the level of consultation with residents, and a ‘disregard for the daily lives of people living in Mahon’

Avenue des Rennes in Mahon is one of the areas targeted for improvements under the scheme by Cork City Council. Picture: Larry Cummins

Angry residents have demanded changes to ongoing work on Cork’s first neighbourhood bike scheme — a multi-million investment in designed to connect an entire suburb.

The calls came during a “heated” community forum meeting in Mahon on Wednesday as work continues on the construction of a 5.5km network of segregated safe cycle paths, bike lanes, and footpaths designed to create the city’s first 20-minute neighbourhood.

The meeting, attended by up to 80 people, heard concerns about the roadworks, the level of consultation with residents, and what they described as a "disregard for the daily lives of people living in Mahon".

Independent general election candidate Mick Finn said the anger at the meeting was palpable.

 “The removal of residents’ parking near schools and shops, the positioning of cycle lanes through new bus shelters and the difficulties being experienced by residents during construction were the main issues raised.

“There weren’t too many voices in support of this major project that should be transformative and have the improvement of residents’ lives at its core, not the total disruption of them.”

Labour councillor Peter Horgan said changes have already been made in places, and that can be done again. He said: 

It’s about communication and listening and finding what will work for everyone. But I think this will be a positive scheme in the round when it’s done.

Fianna Fáil councillor Terry Shannon said working with residents, business owners, and sports groups has led to a new car park for Ringmahon Rangers FC, an extension to the church car park, a car park for Morning Star NS, a loading bay for Ringmahon Stores, and additional parking spaces for residents in other areas.

“We are working with engineers to address concerns but there is one house with four cars and a van, and some people want to be able to park right outside their house. We can facilitate a certain amount but we can’t do everything,” he said.

“But... we are also getting 10 bus shelters, roads resurfaced, and new footpaths — things that might normally take us 10 years to get. Once this is finished, it will be a beacon for what we want to do in other parts of the city.”

Work on the scheme, which will have links to the Blackrock and Passage West greenway and cycling infrastructure on the Skehard Road and the Marina, is due to finish next July.