developments in cork
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The Environmental Impact Statement (Page 16) answers the question of the existing level crossing that will be replaced. It will be one of the ones on the Lower Glanmire Road that is used to access the houses behind the railway line. It’s quite an interesting looking new bridge that’ll be added there too…
I’m glad to see that they’ll be using the old Midleton station. There was talk of developing a new station on the other side of Mill Road to avoid having to install a level crossing. While this approach would have been marginally less expensive and had a lower impact on road traffic, it would have made any extension to Youghal impractical, so using the existing station will keep options open.
I was walking down Market lane today into the English market and saw the big SOLD sign on the door of the Instinct bar which was said to have been bought by Joe O’Donovan for his retail scheme. I was just wondering if anyone knows whether he has bought the post office on Grand parade next to the Capital cinema as well?? It would give the Grand parade frontage a much better look as if was just the Capital the development would look lobsided when you look down Washington street and totally off considering that general heights along this side of the street run between 4 and 5 storeys except the post office which is 2 storeys and looks out of place. I hope he has could it would improve the street and views toward the street substantially.
There is one issue that needs to be watched on the Midleton extension and this is the park n ride site at Dunkettle which falls outside the scope of this planning application according to Mark Gleeson at Platform 11. So it is possible that the rail line will arrive on time but there is no firm timetable on the delivery of the park n ride site.
Just posting this image of Lapp’s Quay because it looks so damn good! It was taken during the recent ceremony to bestow the Freedom of the City of Cork on The President, Mary McAleese.
@ewankennedy wrote:
I was walking down Market lane today into the English market and saw the big SOLD sign on the door of the Instinct bar which was said to have been bought by Joe O’Donovan for his retail scheme. I was just wondering if anyone knows whether he has bought the post office on Grand parade next to the Capital cinema as well?? It would give the Grand parade frontage a much better look as if was just the Capital the development would look lobsided when you look down Washington street and totally off considering that general heights along this side of the street run between 4 and 5 storeys except the post office which is 2 storeys and looks out of place. I hope he has could it would improve the street and views toward the street substantially.
Presuming An Post owns the building, I’m sure they’d be interested in taking a unit in the new centre plus a sizeable cash payment in return for the building, subject to planning. Think O’Donovan would be happy to do that too.
TP – I wonder how they will engineer a park and ride at Dunkettle giving the confined space there. In fact, access will be problematic as it next to probably the buseist stretch of the Glanmire road. The existing station platform (currently unused) is sandwiched between the Lee Tunnel entrance/exit and the Glanmire roundabout. Not sure how a pedestrian can access the revived station, unless there is a large overbridge for pedestrians. But even then, I wonder where they could put the park and ride. I was under the impression that the land opposite the station was part of the Dunkettle House development.
It will certainly be problematic from a pedestrian point of view but my view would be that getting a large park n ride facility in there must be the objective even if it compromises pedestrian access. Ultimately there is a large population in places like Watergrasshill, Glanmire and Fermoy who are currently driving into the City and if a decent proportion of these vehicle movements can be eliminated it will give a large boost to the City.
In many ways there is more to learn from the proposed site at Pace (Dunboyne) Co Meath in terms of function than a typical suburban station parking provision.
In terms of usage do you think there would be more demand from dual mode commuters or from pedestrians using the station?
@corcaighboy wrote:
TP – I wonder how they will engineer a park and ride at Dunkettle giving the confined space there. In fact, access will be problematic as it next to probably the buseist stretch of the Glanmire road. The existing station platform (currently unused) is sandwiched between the Lee Tunnel entrance/exit and the Glanmire roundabout. Not sure how a pedestrian can access the revived station, unless there is a large overbridge for pedestrians. But even then, I wonder where they could put the park and ride. I was under the impression that the land opposite the station was part of the Dunkettle House development.
I’d imagine it would be on the site of the North Esk container terminal, which seems to be pretty much unused nowadays.
A park and ride would be critical as there is a large hinterland and people will certainly avail of the rail service – the stretch from Dunkettle into town is usually a mass tailback during the mornings. In addition, the premium on car parking spaces in the city is also an issue that would make the rail service more attractive. Although there are many housing developments nearby, they are relatively dispersed and unless there is a very comprehensive and frequent bus link, then park and ride is critical. Glounthaune is a good example of how a park and ride can be successful.
The real driver of traffic in my view would be bus links from Kent Station into the city center as it is still a long walk when raining (although the switch to the proposed Horgan’s Quay entrance would negate this somewhat).
Finally, as someone who used the Glounthaune rail service on a daily basis, the addition of new railcars and an hourly service saw an upsurge in usage. In the bad old days, the train would often break down, not appear, be delayed…and of course if you missed the train, you would have a nice two hour plus wait for the next one! No wonder people only used the train as a last resort.@jdivision wrote:
Presuming An Post owns the building, I’m sure they’d be interested in taking a unit in the new centre plus a sizeable cash payment in return for the building, subject to planning. Think O’Donovan would be happy to do that too.
ewankennedy/jdivision – I certainly agree that inclusion of the Grand Parade post-office would be an considered addition to what is already amounting to be a landmark site. I am not aware if Mr. O’Donovan has or has not acquired the building in question, however, as far as I know – it is in private ownership, feel free to correct me if anyone has more insightful knowledge into that matter. One has to hand it to Mr. O’Donovan, he has been resilient and determined in his acquisitions and it has opened the prospect of a noteworthy project. What is known: Mr. O’Donovan has acquired sites at the Capitol Cineplex (which fronts Grand Parade and backs out onto Market Lane) from Mount Kennett Investments & John Costello for approx. €]
[/URL]*Apologies, if I excluded 57 Patrick’s Street in the image above*
It would be nice to see the Central Shoe Stores frontage retained, along with the frontages onto Patrick’s Street – with contemporary build encompassing the remainder of the site. Speculation has it that the scheme will contain a department store element to avail of a number of prospective parties understood to be circling options on the Cork market.
Cork Metropolitan Rail ServiceInterestingly in the EIS for the Midelton-Glounthane line is Cork County Council’s proposed network of commuter and suburban rail services for the Metropolitan Cork area by 2020. It will be interesting to see if these materialise in such dynamic form. I, personally, remain a firm believer in strategy which reduces dependcies on vehicular traffic and in the provision of an efficient, clean and accessible public transport system within major urban areas. With Cork county population, under M1F2 scenario CSO projections (April 2005) for 2020/1 estimated to be well over 600,000 (where this figured is derived from the subtraction of Kerry population figure inclusion and represents a loose estimate) – surely such a system is warranted. The ability to deliver is questionable.
The first image is Cork County Council’s own proposal for such a system:
The 2nd is a possible alternative option I have simply messed about with:
The primary variations here are related to the West Cork line – where the Macroom line originates at a city centre/south docklands station and proceeds along the South City Link to Black Ash P&R before skewing west toward Bishopstown/Wilton (where it goes underground) until it reaches the proposed Bandon Roundabout P&R – here, the line is divided heading west (blue) along the Ballincollig By-Pass to Ballincollig and Macroom, and south toward Bandon (grey).
From Black Ash, a line heading South via Cork Airport to Kinsale may also be provided (green)
Furthermore, the Docklands line (pink in the 2nd option) should utilise the existing corridor heading east and south east, currently serving as a walkway, toward Mahon Point/Jacob’s Island, and head south across the Douglas Estuary serving Rochestown/Douglas (possible undergound), Grange, Donnybrook, Carrigaline and Ringaskiddy (it is my view this line is perhaps among the most important after the Midelton Line to implement – not only would it aim to serve the relocated Port of Cork facilities at Ringaskiddy, but also Carrigaline as Ireland’s most car dependent commuter town).
The idea here is to utilise as many existing corridors as possible with the minimal amount of infastructural and visual disruption.
does anyone know what the hold up with the new schuh store on patrick st is and in general the vacent premises on patrick st?also anyone know how far off joe o donovans scheme is and whats the story with the grand parade hotel site?the library site along with this and the citi car park will make for a much better grand parade when all complete!anyone make any submissions to do with the south docks plan yet,like telling the city council to think outside the box with high rise elements and not to give us a shity bland quayside?
In public transport terms I think that Cork was ignored in the Transport 21 package essentially all it got was the reannouncement of the Midleton extension.
Given that Transport 21 is supposed to be a fifteen year programme certain projects that look marginal now will become more viable over the coming decade and if Luas has taught us anything these type of projects take close to 10 years to deliver.
There is no question in my mind that the South side of the City needs at least one if not two or three light rail routes if densities are to be tightened up. Given the contribution made by the City to the national economy at least a route to the airport and a start on the route to Bishopstown appears warranted.
daniel_7 wrote:does anyone know what the hold up with the new schuh store on patrick st is and in general the vacent premises on patrick st?
😮
Vacancy levels on Patrick St. are up 23% since April 2005 according to the Cork Economic Monitor published by CCC May 2006. Very disappointing news indeed.@kite wrote:
@daniel_7 wrote:
does anyone know what the hold up with the new schuh store on patrick st is and in general the vacent premises on patrick st?
😮
Vacancy levels on Patrick St. are up 23% since April 2005 according to the Cork Economic Monitor published by CCC May 2006. Very disappointing news indeed.The figure is distorted given a number of properties have been acquired as part of site assemblies (eg. Academy Street, Market Lane schemes) or organisational restructuring/consolidation (e.g. AIB, O2, Carphone Warehouse, Vodafone etc).
Schuh will commence works in the not too distant future; the former O2 store near the Savoy is under Final Offer; units fronting Patrick’s Street (former Ryan’s Pharmacy) was acquired by O’Callaghan Properties for their Saint Patrick’s Street/Academy Street scheme; 55, 56 & 57 St. Patrick’s Street were acquired for Joe O’Donovan’s scheme – and are seeking short-term leases, however thats a tough trough to fill given most parties interested would be seeking longer term occupancies. To my mind, the former Bennetton/Diesel store near the Victoria Hotel is vacant – not wholly clear on its future.
lexington wrote:The figure is distorted given a number of properties have been acquired as part of site assemblies (eg. Academy Street, Market Lane schemes) or organisational restructuring/consolidation (e.g. AIB, O2, Carphone Warehouse, Vodafone etc).😮
I accept what you state regarding the site assembly on Patrick Street Lex, however given that CCC won the local authority of the year award, Patrick St. voted the “best” shopping street in Ireland and the millions spent on Patrick St + the years of disruption to traders it is disappointing to see so many shops empty??
Also the likes of O2, Carphone Warehouse, Vodafone etc are a blight on any Main Street in my opinion.@lexington wrote:
Cork Metropolitan Rail Service
Interestingly in the EIS for the Midelton-Glounthane line is Cork County Council’s proposed network of commuter and suburban rail services for the Metropolitan Cork area by 2020. It will be interesting to see if these materialise in such dynamic form. I, personally, remain a firm believer in strategy which reduces dependcies on vehicular traffic and in the provision of an efficient, clean and accessible public transport system within major urban areas. With Cork county population, under M1F2 scenario CSO projections (April 2005) for 2020/1 estimated to be well over 600,000 (where this figured is derived from the subtraction of Kerry population figure inclusion and represents a loose estimate) – surely such a system is warranted. The ability to deliver is questionable.
The first image is Cork County Council’s own proposal for such a system:
The 2nd is a possible alternative option I have simply messed about with:
The primary variations here are related to the West Cork line – where the Macroom line originates at a city centre/south docklands station and proceeds along the South City Link to Black Ash P&R before skewing west toward Bishopstown/Wilton (where it goes underground) until it reaches the proposed Bandon Roundabout P&R – here, the line is divided heading west (blue) along the Ballincollig By-Pass to Ballincollig and Macroom, and south toward Bandon (grey).
Lex, what’s the liklihood of all these line extnesions and reopenig ever happening.
I’d imagine that there would be big problems with a Fermoy line as no previous line has ever existed. IIRC the Fermoy line came from Mallow.
@Micko wrote:
Lex, what’s the liklihood of all these line extnesions and reopenig ever happening.
I’d imagine that there would be big problems with a Fermoy line as no previous line has ever existed. IIRC the Fermoy line came from Mallow.
Quite frankly, I don’t really know. I think it will happen down the line (no pun intended) but its more a case of when. The fact is that the CASP and to a lesser extent LUTS strategies have laid the foundation for Cork city and county’s development with the city at the region’s core and the development of larger commuter towns satellite to the city at locations like Midleton, Monard, Carrigaline, Ballincollig (which is arguably a suburb at this stage) and so on. As these towns grow, the capacity of infastructure and consequently management capacity of commuter and domestic traffic will become excessively strained. This is evidently the case as it is. Although plans like the Cork City Development Plan 2004 did not specify the provision of an integrated light-rail network – its something quite evident in the minds of planners, essentially both Cork City Council and Cork County Council know its something the needs to be catered for as more roads are not the solution.
I think strong cases can be made for all such light-rail commuter links – particularly however the Carrigaline/Ringaskiddy line. I think you’ll find the likes of the Port of Cork will champion such proposals – anything which will aid access and capacity to their new facilities at Ringaskiddy. Commuter wise, Carrigaline makes its own case. I think it will be important to develop any such line with strategic consideration for areas like the South Docklands, Mahon Point and Douglas.
Macroom-Ballincollig-Bandon Roundabout-Bishopstown-Docklands represents another strong case for light-rail provision.
The councils are aware of the need, as par their plans posted – the issue now is sanctioning swift strategy for attaining them. I don’t believe any significantly appropriate lobby for such proposals has been enacted. Which is a shame – we all know how long it takes any proposal like this to get moving outside of Dublin, our public bodies such be pushing for this now and forcefully so if we are to even see a glimpse of movement in the future.
@Thomond Park wrote:
In public transport terms I think that Cork was ignored in the Transport 21 package essentially all it got was the reannouncement of the Midleton extension.
.i agree completely on that one, its a disgrace. Only hope is, the plan was so bad and an election so near, it can be made an issue again. Some light relief at the moment given that the schools are off.
Anyone see a bbc program on English designer/architect/engineer Thomas Heatherwick last night? makes the current trends look prehistoric.
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